What Happens When A Cancer Patient Gets Pneumonia

Why Might I Get Sepsis

Having cancer and some cancer treatments can make your body unable to fight infections.

White blood cells called neutrophils help us fight infections. Some cancer treatments temporarily reduce the number of neutrophils in the blood. This is most common if you have chemotherapy. It is less common with targeted therapies and immunotherapy.

Having a lower number of neutrophils means a minor infection can become very serious. It could become life-threatening within hours.

F Prognosis And Patient Counseling

Counseling patients about CAP at discharge about expected recovery may help prevent readmission. The literature reveals that one week after discharge 80% of patients with CAP will have ongoing fatigue and cough and 50% of patients will have persistent dyspnea and sputum production. Patients can be told that the cough may take months to resolve.

Asbestoscom Is The Nations Most Trusted Mesothelioma Resource

The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com has provided patients and their loved ones the most updated and reliable information on mesothelioma and asbestos exposure since 2006.

Our team of Patient Advocates includes a medical doctor, a registered nurse, health services administrators, veterans, VA-accredited Claims Agents, an oncology patient navigator and hospice care expert. Their combined expertise means we help any mesothelioma patient or loved one through every step of their cancer journey.

More than 30 contributors, including mesothelioma doctors, survivors, health care professionals and other experts, have peer-reviewed our website and written unique research-driven articles to ensure you get the highest-quality medical and health information.

About The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com

• Assisting mesothelioma patients and their loved ones since 2006.
• Helps more than 50% of mesothelioma patients diagnosed annually in the U.S.
• A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
• 5-star reviewed mesothelioma and support organization.

Also Check: Where Is Pneumonia Vaccine Given

External Beam Radiotherapy For Airway Obstruction

Patients with advanced lung cancer, airway obstruction and poor performance status might not be suitable candidates for more invasive interventions. When immediate management of the airway is required, EBRT can be considered an alternative . Lee et al. evaluated the response to EBRT in 95 patients with obstructed airways due to different types of lung cancer. Not only did they find that EBRT was effective in resolving airway obstruction , but they also described a significant increase in 1-year survival rate in these patients. The type of tumor did not affect response to treatment but response was significantly better in tumors < 6 cm . Application of local radiotherapy for 1012 days at doses of 3040 Gy have resulted in palliation of lung mass symptoms, including relief of obstruction. When compared to endobronchial brachytherapy, ERBT showed better outcomes .

Management Of Bacterial Pneumonia In The Cancer Patient

Antibiotic therapy

The value of the above diagnostic tests is contingent upon the availability of effective therapies. Because of the broad range of potential pathogens and innumerable host factors, therapeutic strategies must be directed by the patient’s immune status and exposure history, both to pathogens and antimicrobials.

Treatment should generally not be withheld while diagnostic interventions are undertaken. Delays in appropriate antimicrobial therapy increase the risk of secondary complications and infection-associated deaths in immunocompromised cancer patients, thus it is common practice to initiate empiric or pre-emptive antibiotic therapy when pneumonia is suspected . No consensus exists for the optimal time to first antibiotic dose, although one recent study suggests that neutropenic fever outcomes are better when antibiotics are delivered within 104 minutes of presentation . While the earliest possible antibiotic dosing is generally recommended, possible exceptions include when bronchoscopic evaluation is immediately available . In that case, it may be reasonable to hold empiric antibiotic therapy until completion of the brief procedure, potentially enhancing the diagnostic yield of the collected microbiologic cultures. This delay should generally be no longer than 2 h. Antibiotics should not be held for multiple hours or days in anticipation of bronchoscopy, as the harm from delaying therapy outweighs the benefits of improved test performance .

Read Also: Is The Pneumonia Vaccine A Live Virus

How Can Mesothelioma Patients Prevent Pneumonia

There are several things mesothelioma patients can do to reduce their risk of getting pneumonia.

• Get a flu shot. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends people with cancer get a seasonal flu shot. Preventing the flu can prevent viral pneumonia.
• Wash your hands regularly. You should wash your hands after blowing your nose, after going to the bathroom and before eating or cooking.
• Dont smoke. Smoking can worsen the symptoms of mesothelioma and damage your lungs ability to fight infection.
• Maintain healthy habits. Getting plenty of rest, exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy diet helps prevent infection and can promote fast recovery if you do get sick.
• Get the pneumococcal vaccine. This vaccine is recommended for adults at high risk of pneumococcal diseases, including meningitis, bloodstream infections and pneumonia. There are two types of pneumococcal vaccines: PCV13 and PPSV23. Ask your doctor if you need one or both of these options.

Mesothelioma patients should talk to their oncology team before getting a flu shot or pneumococcal vaccine to make sure its the right decision.

Get the Compensation You Deserve

What Causes This Disease And How Frequent Is It

There are no prevalence figures for recurrent pneumonia. Children with chronic lung problems are frequently ill more often during the winter viral season during seasonal epidemics of respiratory syncytial virus and influenza.

All recommended childhood immunizations should be provided, including annual influenza immunization. Avoiding crowded environments and good handwashing can limit the spread of viral illness. Poor air environments and tobacco poisoning should be avoided.

CF is an autosomal recessive disease that affects about one of every 3200 live Caucasian births. Abnormal DNA mutations can be identified in almost all cases of CF. PCD is an autosomal recessive disease that affects an estimated one in 20,000 to 60,000 individuals. DNA abnormalities as causes of PCD can be found in only about 30% of the cases. A variety of immunodeficiency syndromes have a genetic basis.

Recommended Reading: Can You Get Sick From The Pneumonia Shot

Challenges To The Professional Caregiver

Oncologists and nurses caring for terminally ill cancer patients are at risk of suffering personally, owing to the clinical intensity and chronic loss inherent in their work. Lack of training in advance care planning and communication can leave oncologists vulnerable to burnout, depression, and professional dissatisfaction. One group of investigators studied oncologists grief related to patient death and found strong impact in both the personal and professional realms. Negative effects included a sense of distraction and withdrawal from patients.

One study made an important conceptual distinction, explaining that while grief is healthy for oncologists, stress and burnout can be counterproductive. Other terms used to describe professional suffering are moral distress, emotional exhaustion, and depersonalization. Moral distress was measured in a descriptive pilot study involving 29 physicians and 196 nurses caring for dying patients in intensive care units. Both groups of professionals experienced moral distress related to pressure to continue aggressive treatment they considered futile. Nurses experienced more moral distress than did physicians, and perceived less collaboration than did their physician colleagues.

References

What Is Lung Cancer What Is Pneumonia

Lung Cancer

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an infection of one or both lungs usually is caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites. There are many types of pneumonia based on the type of microbe causing the infection. Moreover, a microbe can cause different kinds of pneumonia. Sometimes pneumonia affects a portion of one lung, and in other cases, the infection has throughout both lungs. Some people with pneumonia develop associated fluid collections. Some causes of pneumonia can be very destructive to lung tissue, for example, Staphylococcus aureus.

One-third of all people who developed pneumonia subsequently died from the infection before antibiotics were discovered. Currently, over 3 million people develop pneumonia each year in the United States. Over a half a million of these people are hospitalized for treatment. Although most of these people recover, approximately 5% will not recover from the infection and die. Pneumonia is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States.

Lung Cancer Symptoms and Signs

Symptoms of primary lung cancers include:

Other signs and symptoms of lung cancer include:

• Wheezing or hoarseness, which cause blockage or inflammation in the lungs.
• Repeated respiratory infections, such as bronchitis or pneumonia.

Symptoms of lung tumors that have spread to other areas of the body depends upon their location and size. About 30% to 40% of people with lung cancer have some symptoms or signs of cancer that has spread.

Pneumonia Symptoms and Signs

You May Like: What Antibiotics Treat Pneumonia In Adults

What Is Post Obstructive Pneumonia

Postobstructive pneumonia is defined as an infection of lung parenchyma secondary to bronchial obstruction . It is often associated with lung malignancy .May 26, 2019

How is post obstructive pneumonia treated?, These include various endobronchial treatment options such as brachytherapy, laser therapy, electrocautery, cryotherapy, argon plasma coagulation, and photodynamic therapy, with or without airway stents .

Furthermore, Can a cancer patient survive pneumonia?, Summary: Pneumonia is the most frequent type of infection in cancer patients and it is associated with high mortality rates. Researchers have analyzed the factors associated with severe pneumonia in hospitalized cancer patients and suggest that personalized treatment protocols can reduce mortality in this population.

Finally, How bad is pneumonia with lung cancer?, Infections, including pneumonia, are the second most common cause of death in people with lung cancer. Pneumonia can be a serious lung infection. If you dont get a diagnosis and proper treatment, it can lead to serious complications and possibly even death.

Signs And Symptoms Of Coronavirus And Lung Cancer

Coronavirus symptoms can vary from mild to severe illness and death. But the Center for Disease Control identifies that the following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath

It is still a challenge to diagnose coronavirus in lung cancer patients because many of the symptoms are the same, such as:

• Cough

Also Check: Does Medicare Cover The Pneumonia Vaccine

When To Call A Doctor For Pneumonia

If you were recently diagnosed with a mild case of pneumonia but are not getting better or are experiencing worsened symptoms, see your doctor as soon as possible. In some cases, pneumonia can get worse and complications can occur that require hospitalization.

Research has shown that corticosteroids, which are drugs designed to reduce inflammation, can also be used to treat pneumonia. They are helpful for decreasing the risk of death and the need for more serious medical interventions, such as ventilators or prolonged hospitalization in people who have more serious cases of infection.

If you are hospitalized, you are given medications through an IV directly into your bloodstream. You may also need help breathing, so oxygen therapy will be used. You could be given oxygen through a face mask, your nose, or another piece of medical equipment such as a ventilator.

Religious And Spiritual Beliefs

Awareness of the importance of religious beliefs and spiritual concerns within medical care has increased substantially over the last decade. National consensus guidelines, published in 2018, recommended the following:

• That all patients receive a screening assessment for religious and spiritual concerns, followed by a more complete spiritual history.
• That all patients receive a formal assessment by a certified chaplain.
• That such information is placed in patient records, with follow-up at all appropriate times, including hospitalization at the EOL.

An interprofessional approach is recommended: medical personnel, including physicians, nurses, and other professionals such as social workers and psychologists, are trained to address these issues and link with chaplains, as available, to evaluate and engage patients. A survey of nurses and physicians revealed that most nurses and physicians desire to provide spiritual care, which was defined as care that supports a patients spiritual health. The more commonly cited barriers associated with the estimated amount of spiritual care provided to patients included inadequate training and the belief that providing spiritual care is not part of the medical professionals role. Most nurses desired training in spiritual care fewer physicians did.

You May Like: Where Can I Get The Pneumonia Shot

How Stage 4 Breast Cancer Can Lead To Pneumonia

• Outlook

Overview

For a healthy individual, pneumonia can be a difficult condition to treat. For a person with advanced breast cancer who may be undergoing treatments that further weaken the bodys ability to fight infection, pneumonia can be particularly serious. In addition, some breast cancer treatments can increase your risk for pneumonia.

When Should You See A Doctor

If you have asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease you should ask your doctor for advice. They may have given you recommendations about increasing your inhaler medication or taking a ‘rescue pack’ of antibiotics and steroid tablets at the first sign of an infection. If not, speak with them for advice if you develop symptoms of a chest infection.

There are a number of symptoms that mean you should see a GP even if you do not have any other lung problems. They include:

• If a fever, wheezing or headache becomes worse or severe.
• If you develop fast breathing, shortness of breath, or chest pains.
• If you cough up blood or if your phlegm becomes dark or rusty-coloured.
• If you become drowsy or confused.
• If a cough lasts for longer than 3-4 weeks.
• If you have repeated bouts of acute bronchitis.
• If any other symptom develops that you are concerned about.

Read Also: How To Get Tested For Pneumonia

A History Part I: Pattern Recognition:

Patients with community-acquired pneumonia usually present with a brief history of cough , sputum production , fever , and chest pain . Non-respiratory complaints will dominate in 10-30% of patients these include headache, fatigue, and myalgias. In addition, elderly patients often do not have the classic features over 40% will not have fever and nearly 50% will present with altered mental status. Unfortunately, there are no patient symptoms which accurately and reliably predict typical versus atypical bacteria as the underlying cause.

How Is Pneumonia Treated

If you have lung cancer and develop pneumonia, your treatment will be the same as a person with pneumonia who doesnt have lung cancer. The most important thing is to treat the cause of the pneumonia.

You may need to stay in the hospital for intravenous antibiotics, or you may be able to treat your pneumonia at home with oral antibiotics.

In most cases of viral pneumonia, treatment will focus on supportive care, like supplemental oxygen, IV fluids, and rest.

Your doctor will consider other factors to determine whether or not you need to stay in the hospital for treatment, including:

• your age
• your overall health and other medical problems
• the severity of your symptoms
• your vital signs, including temperature, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and pulse

Recommended Reading: Pneumonia How To Treat It

Possible Changes In Body Function

• Profound weakness usually the patient cant get out of bed and has trouble moving around in bed
• Needs help with nearly everything
• Less and less interest in food, often with very little food and fluid intake for days
• Trouble swallowing pills and medicines
• More drowsiness the patient may doze or sleep much of the time if pain is relieved, and may be hard to rouse or wake
• Lips may appear to droop
• Short attention span, may not be able to focus on whats happening
• Confusion about time, place, or people
• Limited ability to cooperate with caregivers
• Sudden movement of any muscle, jerking of hands, arms, legs, or face

How Common Is Pneumonia With Lung Cancer

Pneumonia and lung cancer are often experienced at the same time. Research has found that roughly 50% to 70% of people with lung cancer will experience pneumonia at some point during the course of their disease. Having pneumonia while battling lung cancer also increases the risk of severe or life-threatening consequences.

You May Like: Scar Tissue On Lungs From Pneumonia

What Are The Signs Of Infection

Cancer and its treatments weaken the body’s immune system. This makes it more likely that you will develop an infection. An infection occurs when bacteria, viruses, or fungi invade the body.

Common types of infections that need immediate medical attention include:

• Pneumonia, which starts in the lungs

• Urinary tract infection, which can start in the bladder or kidneys

• Infections in the mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach, intestines, or anus

• Blood infections, which are most common in people with low white blood cell counts or an implanted catheter

Infection during cancer treatment can be life threatening. Your health care team will help you determine if the infection is serious and how best to manage your symptoms.

The Decision To Enroll In Hospice

Patients with advanced cancer who receive hospice care appear to experience better psychological adjustment, fewer burdensome symptoms, increased satisfaction, improved communication, and better deaths without hastening death. The rate of hospice enrollment for people with cancer has increased in recent years however, this increase is tempered by a reduction in the average length of hospice stay. Because of the association of longer hospice stays with caregivers perceptions of improved quality of care and increased satisfaction with care, the latter finding is especially concerning.

Multiple patient demographic factors are associated with increased hospice enrollment. In one study, however, physician characteristics were more important than patient characteristics in determining hospice enrollment. This may reflect the observation that patients concede more control to oncologists over time, especially if treatment decisions involve noncurative chemotherapy for metastatic cancer.

The purpose of this section is to provide the oncology clinician with insights into the decision to enroll in hospice, and to encourage a full discussion of hospice as an important EOL option for patients with advanced cancer. The related study provides potential strategies to address some of the patient-level barriers.

Patient-level barriers

• Male sex .

• Receipt of cancer-directed therapy in the last month of life .
• Total number of admissions to the pediatric ICU .

References

Don’t Miss: How Often Do I Need The Pneumonia Vaccine