What is the connection between cancer and pneumonia?
Cancer and pneumonia are connected in several ways. Pneumonia can develop as a complication of cancer. It can also be a symptom of some cancer types. Although lung and pneumonia cancer may occur, pneumonia can also evolve with other types of cancer.
To understand why cancer and pneumonia often develop together, it is important to know what pneumonia is. Pneumonia is an infection in the lungs. This can be caused by a sponge, bacteria or viral infection. When a person has cancer, his immune system is often weaker and can be easier to develop pneumonia.
One of the signs of lung cancer is repeating pneumonia. When one constantly develops respiratory problems such as pneumonia, various other tests such as CT scan chest can be ordered. Lung cancer is sometimes found in this way.
It is also possible that the diagnosis of cancer can be delayed if cancer is confused with pneumonia. Sometimes people with pneumonia may have symptoms similar to the lungs. AppearanceEM to the fact that cough, shortness of breath, network and fatigue are common symptoms of both diseases, it is possible to initially diagnose pneumonia.
Cancer and pneumonia are also connected because cancer treatment can sometimes lead to pneumonia. Cancer treatment such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy may sometimes cause lung damage as a side effect. When the lungs are damaged, pneumonia can develop more easily. Chemotherapy often weakens the body's defense, so that viruses, bacteria and fungi that cause pneumonia can easily attack the lungs.
If pneumonia occurs in cancer, complications may occur more often. Respiratory distress syndrome and sepsis are two serious complications that develop more often in people who have cancer and pneumonia. Sepse occurs in people with cancer if the infection travels to the bloodstream. It can be life -threatening infections.
depending on the typePneumonia may include antibiotics, respiratory treatment, intravenous (IV) fluid and oxygen. Treatment can be more aggressive if the patient also has cancer. It should quickly get rid of the body of pneumonia to avoid serious complications. Patients with cancer and pneumonia are more likely to be treated in the hospital instead of outpatient patients at home.
Prevention, such as obtaining pneumonia vaccine, can be recommended for people who have certain cancer. Other ways to reduce the chances of gaining pneumonia include eating well, enough rest and often hand washing. People with cancer should be particularly hard when they hold on from others who have pneumonia to prevent infection.