Symptoms, risks, interactions, and prospects

lung cancer It’s time for cancer to start in the lungs.by American Chemical Society (ACS)It is the second most common cancer in both men and women.

Lung cancer is a chronic or long-term condition. Treatment goals depend on the type and extent of the cancer, but usually focus on controlling the growth and spread of the cancer. If possible, treatment also aims to eliminate the cancer.

COVID-19 (new coronavirus infection) It is a disease caused by a coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. The virus is now the cause of a pandemic that is sickening and killing millions of people around the world.

COVID-19 is generally an acute condition. This means that the symptoms are immediate and last for a short time. Most people infected with COVID-19 have mild or moderate illness, but others can cause serious or serious illness.

However, some people infected with COVID-19 have prolonged symptoms such as fatigue and shortness of breath. These symptoms can last for weeks or months after the first infection with the virus.This is called Long COVID..

lung cancer When COVID-19 (new coronavirus infection) Share many symptoms. However, each condition has its own symptoms.

The table below will help you find out which symptoms are common and which are unique.

People with lung cancer are at increased risk of COVID-19. In many cases, these individuals already have poor lung function due to factors such as:

• the history of smoking
• Damage caused by the cancer itself
• Previous effect Lung cancer surgery
• Other existing heart or lung conditions

People with lung cancer may already have reduced lung function, so a respiratory infection such as COVID-19 can put additional stress on the lungs. This can increase the risk of serious complications.

Also, many people with cancer are at increased risk of getting an infection in the first place. This may be due to the cancer itself or the treatment you are receiving for it.

For example, lung mucus helps trap bacteria. Then your body coughs and expels these bacteria. Tumors in the lungs affect the drainage of mucus and can lead to more infections.

Some cancer treatments also weaken the immune system and make it more susceptible to infections.The ACS Overall, chemical treatment It is the most common cause of weakened immunity in people receiving cancer treatment.

by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Both people with cancer and those with weakened immunity are at increased risk of serious illness due to COVID-19.

People with lung cancer are at increased risk of COVID-19, so you may be wondering about the prospects for both conditions and potential complications.

Generally speaking, the types of complications that people with lung cancer may experience due to COVID-19 are similar to those of the general population. These include:

COVID-19 can also cause long-term complications. Especially for people with cancer, it may take some time to recover from damage to the lungs and other organs.Development is also possible Long COVID..

People with lung cancer are at increased risk of death from COVID-19. 2021 survey review found death Rate in the range from 18-47% For people with COVID-19 and lung cancer.

A 2021 review Contains 13 studies on COVID-19 and lung cancer. Outside of China, pooled COVID-19 mortality was found to be significantly higher in people with lung cancer (42%) than in people with other cancers (24%).

In addition to supportive care and symptom relief, several treatments approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) can help treat COVID-19 in people at significant risk of becoming very ill.

These treatments usually fall into two categories: antivirals and monoclonal antibodies. Antiviral drugs prevent the virus from multiplying in the body. Here is an example:

• Ritonavir and Nirmatrelville (Pax Robin).
• Remdesivir (Veklury)
• Molnupiravir (Lagebrio)

Monoclonal antibodies help the immune system fight the virus. Bebtelovimab is an example of effective monoclonal antibody therapy against current viral variants.

If COVID-19 becomes more severe, other treatments may provide sufficient oxygen.Includes options Oxygen supplement Also ventilation..

A 2021 study We examined the treatment of 28 people with lung cancer and COVID-19. It found it:

• Twenty people needed help with oxygenation.
  • 18 people receiving oxygen supplementation
  • 1 Receive non-invasive ventilation
  • Does not require mechanical ventilation
• 9 people received Corticosteroids As part of their treatment.
• Seven people died of COVID-19.All of them had Stage 4 lung cancer..

Does COVID-19 interfere with my lung cancer treatment?

Cancer treatment can put a strain on your body. Therefore, if you have lung cancer and are infected with COVID-19, you may need to postpone some types of cancer treatment until you recover.

Your doctor will decide on these types of treatment individually. While you are infected with COVID-19, your doctor will weigh the benefits and risks of continuing or postponing your cancer treatment. Some factors they consider are:

• the type When stage Of your cancer
• The specific type of treatment being used or considered
• Risk of cancer progression
• Level of your lung function
• Your age and overall health

For lung cancer, the best way to protect yourself from COVID-19 is to get a vaccine.The CDC You like to get mRNA vaccinePfizer-Uses Johnson & Johnson adenovirus vector vaccines as well as those produced by BioNTech and Moderna.

Vaccination helps reduce the risk of getting sick with COVID-19. Most importantly, if you get sick, you can also reduce the risk of serious illness or death.

The CDC We currently recommend that everyone over the age of 5 be vaccinated against COVID-19.

In addition to the CDC American Society of Clinical Oncology And that National Cancer Network People with cancer are advised to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

The table below shows current COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for adults.

It is important to note that vaccine recommendations are slightly different if your immune system is weakened.The table below is the current COVID-19 vaccine recommendations For adults with weakened immunity.

Not surprisingly, there are more questions about lung cancer and COVID-19. In the following, we aim to answer some of them.

Can COVID-19 cause lung cancer?

so 2020 researchResearchers suspected that widespread lung damage and inflammation from COVID-19 may contribute to the development of lung cancer. However, it remains unclear how COVID-19 affects the risk of lung cancer.

Research is ongoing. It will take more time to get meaningful results.

Can COVID-19 be mistaken for lung cancer?

COVID-19 and lung cancer have some overlap in symptoms. In addition, images of the lungs may show the appearance of “frosted glass” to the lungs in both conditions.

However, experts also have some effective strategies to distinguish between the two. Examples include complete medical history, laboratory tests, and pathological results (if required).

Does Cancer Immunotherapy Help Protect Me From COVID-19?

Immunotherapy Is a type of cancer treatment that helps the immune system fight cancer. This treatment may protect against COVID-19, but more research is needed.

A 2021 study We found that people receiving immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors were less likely to test positive for COVID-19 than those receiving chemotherapy.

A 2022 study It includes 2,215 cancer patients, including lung cancer. Having immunotherapy 4 weeks before the diagnosis of COVID-19 reduced the risk of death.

I am in remission from lung cancer. Do you still need to worry about the increased risk of COVID-19?

I have had lung cancer and now In remissionIt is still important to take steps to protect yourself from COVID-19. Several studies have shown that a history of cancer may increase the risk of COVID-19.

A 2021 study We compared the results of COVID-19 between those who were diagnosed with cancer and those who did not. The diagnosis of cancer was found to be associated with an increased risk of hospitalization or death.

Is it safe to get the COVID-19 vaccine for lung cancer?

Yes, the COVID-19 vaccine is safe for people with lung cancer. The most common side effects of vaccination are mild, lasting only a few days, and include:

People with lung cancer are at increased risk of serious illness and death from COVID-19. Several factors that may contribute to this include existing lung damage and the effects of cancer and its treatment.

The best way to prevent COVID-19 is to get the latest information on the COVID-19 vaccine. This helps prevent serious illness if infected with a virus.

Your care team is here to help you during this period. Be sure to raise questions or concerns about how COVID-19, the COVID-19 vaccine, or COVID-19 affects cancer treatment.