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Query: UMLS:C0010200 (cough)
 23,843 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

We have reviewed the role of radiation therapy in the palliative treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer. The use of radiation treatment results in effective palliation of chest symptoms such as dyspnea, cough, hemoptysis, and chest pain. In addition, the pain and suffering associated with skeletal and hepatic metastases are effectively alleviated by radiation therapy with minimal morbidity. Devastating neurologic complications can be avoided or alleviated in a great proportion of patients undergoing radiation therapy for cerebral metastases and spinal cord compression. Therefore, radiation therapy is a potent modality in relieving or reducing the suffering of patients with lung cancer. This is also a modality that has wide applicability; very few patients are not suitable candidates for that has wide applicability; very few patients are not suitable candidates for treatment regardless of their performance status. The aim of the treatments should always be prompt intervention using radiation therapy schedules that will minimize treatment time yet produce the desired results in a high proportion of patients. Protracted radiation schedules are not warranted in such patients except in special clinical situations. Palliation with radiation therapy is achieved quite promptly, with minimal side effects and a very small risk of any long-term consequences in patients who have a limited life expectancy.
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PMID:Palliative radiotherapy. 170 80

Seventy-three patients with mid-dorsal and/or unilateral chest pain seen consecutively in the rheumatology clinic by a single clinician over a three-year period were studied, after exclusion of visceral disease. The majority were young women. The pain was dull and continuous, was aggravated by coughing and sneezing and relieved by rest. There was frequently tenderness over the thoracic spine (T4-5) and an adjacent rib, and pain at extremes of thoracic spinal movement in one or two directions was invariable. Cutaneous hyperaesthesia in a radicular distribution was found in 16.4%, but there were no other neurological abnormalities. This clinical picture is probably the result of a thoracic disc prolapse, though confirmation by myelography was not thought to be ethically justified. The condition settled in most of the patients following manipulative treatment and advice on back care. No patient developed spinal cord compression. It is concluded that this is a common benign condition which deserves wider recognition.
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PMID:Benign thoracic pain. 361 61

The intrathoracic growth of the tumor causes several severe symptoms as cough, dyspnea, chest pain, hemoptysis, hoarseness, anorexia/nausea, and dysphagia. In patients with manifest or threatening symptoms radiotherapy (RT) as an effective measure should be implemented into the management concept. Palliative RT radiotherapy prefers short hypofractionated schemas (e.g. 10 x 3 Gy, 4 x 5 Gy, 2 x 8 Gy, 1 x 10 Gy). Careful radiation planning supports the precision of palliative RT and reduces significantly the complication rate. A good response and prolonged palliation effects (6-12 months) can be achieved in many cases. However, the minimum biologically equivalent dose should not be less than 35 Gy. RT produces a good outcome in all types of metastases of lung carcinoma. In emergencies like VCSS or spinal cord compression RT should be initiated immediately. The selection of the optimal therapy for locally advanced lung carcinoma with malignant airway obstruction is difficult. Both brachytherapy and percutaneous irradiation are effective, however published results including local a sum of response, functionality and life quality demonstrates more benefit by percutaneous RT. Due to different physical properties of these two methods the combination of brachytherapy and external beam irradiation may be advantageous.
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PMID:Radiotherapy. 1995 3

Upper thoracic tumors may develop spinal cord compression. By surgery at the time of diagnosis, a neurological deficit can be avoided. However, this particular localization requires a double approach to decompress the spinal cord and thoracic structures. The posterior extracavitary approach results in resection of the spinal canal, the foraminal component, and the extraspinal fragment, but is not routinely used by most neurosurgeons. A 56-year-old woman with a two-month history of axial thoracic pain and cough. The patient has a normal neurological examination. Thoracic computed tomography (CT) scan with contrast agent was performed, evincing a dumbbell-shaped tumor on the left T3-T4. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirms the diagnosis, showing a 4 cm diameter tumor that compresses the spinal cord without myelopathy. The surgery was performed posteriorly, with costotransversectomy, allowing complete resection under intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring. The patient developed no thoracic or neurological complications. One-stage posterior approach is possible and effective during the treatment of the upper thoracic dumbbell-shaped tumors, avoiding a change in surgical position, thoracic morbidity, and dependence on assisting surgeons.
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PMID:Upper thoracic dumbbell-shaped tumor resected in one stage posterior approach: case report. 3146 30