Imaging Tests:

Computed Tomography Scan (CT scan):

It allows visualization of the size and location of the adenocarcinoma or cancer metastasis. Portrays a three-dimensional picture of the image. The computer produces a cross-sectional, detailed view of the tumors. Through a die called contrast medium, it enables one to measure the tumor size (Weissferdt& Moran, 2012)

Positron Emission Tomography (PET Scan):

It utilizes a radioactive sugar. Cancerous cells take more of the sugar; they are detected through the sugar.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging:

Allows visualization of tumor size, location and metastasis. It uses magnetic fields and a die contrast medium to create clear pictures of the tumor (D’Addarario et al.,2010)

Bone Scan:

The scan uses a radioactive tracer to visualize the inside of a bone. It portrays the cancerous areas of a bone as being dark (Yachnis& Rivera-Zengoteta, 2012).

Treatment Options:

Surgery:

It is the primary treatment for early-stage cancer. One must be in good health in order to undergo surgery. It provides cure by eliminating all the tumor cells. Segmentectomy is the removal of a section of the lung, while lobectomy is the removal of an entire lobe.

Radiation Therapy:

The method uses high-energy x-rays to destroy the rapidly dividing cancer cells. It can be used as a primary therapy, to shrink the tumor before surgery, as a follow up after surgery or to treat metastasis. It is also good for relieving symptoms in terminal stage cancer. It can be combined with chemotherapy to boost results (Belkacemi, Mirimanoff&Ozsahin, 2011).

Chemotherapy:

This method uses drugs that are known to be toxic towards cancer cells. They can be given after a surgery with the aim of sterilizing the microscopic cells. The drugs also relieve symptoms and slows growth in patients who are not healthy enough to have to undergo surgery. It is useful in all the stages of lung cancer and can be used in the elderly. Chemotherapy can be combined with radiation therapy to increase efficacy (Radiology Society of North America, 2013).

Conclusion:

The lung adenocarcinoma decision tree shows the various options of treatment and the various imaging techniques that can be used. The different imaging modalities are appropriate for the different stages. For example, the CT scan is appropriate for stage IV to determine the size, location and spread of the cancer. Accurate staging is necessary to determine the best treatment method, and the best imaging modality (Roth, Cox & Hong, 2011). The different therapies have different outcomes, which also depends with the stage.

References

Belkacemi, Y., Mirimanoff, R., &Ozsahin, M. (2011).Management of rare adult tumors. New York, NY: Springer Science & Business Media.

D’Addarario, G., Fruh, M., Reck, M., Baumann, P., Klepetko, W., &Felip, E. (2010). Metastatic non-small cell lung cancer: ESMO clinical practice guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. Annals of Oncology, 21(5), 5-9.

Radiology Society of North America.(2013). Lung cancer treatment. Retrieved fromhttp://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=lungcancer

Roth, J.A., Cox, D.J., & Hong, K.W. (2011).Lung cancer. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.

Weissferdt, A., & Moran, A.C. (2012).Diagnostic pathology of pleuropulmonaryneoplasia. New York, NY: Springer Science & Business Media.

Yachnis, T.A., & Rivera-Zengoteta, L.M. (2012).Neuropathology: A volume in the high yield pathology series. Melbourne: Elsevier Health Sciences.