Lung cancer
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Lung cancer is a common oncological disease that arises from the cells lining the lungs and bronchi. The disease can gradually develop over many years and is not always limited to the lungs. Metastases are common. Treatment must be immediate and comprehensive.
At the Humanitas clinic, oncologists, surgeons, radiotherapists and a number of specialists from other disciplines are involved in the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer. All in order to make an accurate diagnosis and individually develop a treatment program that will be most effective for a specific patient.
Histological examinations are mandatory, the stage of cancer, general health condition and other indicators are determined. Based on this information, a decision is made on the implementation of a particular treatment, the combination of different methods, etc.
Modern treatment includes surgery to remove affected tissue, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and other methods. In some cases, patients may participate in clinical research. More details about the specifics of the disease and its treatment are below in the article.
Risk factors and symptoms of the disease
Scientists say the main risk factor is inhalation of carcinogens. Cigarette smoke contains a large amount of them, which is why about 90% of lung cancer cases are associated with smoking. Often, the longer a person smokes and the more they smoke per day, the greater the risk to the body. Even passive smoking is harmful. For example, if there is at least one smoker in the family, the probability of lung cancer in relatives increases by 30%.
Cancer can also be caused by polluted atmosphere. Residents of cities and areas where processing and mining industries are concentrated are particularly susceptible to risk. Here, respiratory diseases and cancer in particular are encountered 3-4 times more often.
Other risk factors:
radiation exposure;
contact with chromium, nickel, asbestos, radon and other hazardous substances;
previous lung diseases: tuberculosis, bronchitis, pneumonia, etc.
Statistics show that women are more prone to lung cancer than men.
The main symptoms of the disease:
prolonged and persistent cough;
chest pain, especially noticeable when taking a deep breath;
loss of appetite and weight loss;
hoarseness in voice;
increased incidence of pulmonary diseases.
As the disease progresses, pain in the bones, weakness in the arms and legs, dizziness, yellowing of the skin, etc. begin to appear. At the first suspicion of the disease, it is necessary to immediately contact a specialist for diagnosis.
Diagnosis and treatment
It is difficult to diagnose lung cancer at an early stage (unless targeted diagnostics are performed). Symptoms and development are very similar to common diseases. The main method for detecting a malignant tumor is an X-ray examination. Computed tomography and PET-CT serve as a clarifying method.
To determine the type of formation, its size and degree of development with high accuracy, bronchoscopy is used. The method allows visual observation of symptoms, as well as taking a tissue sample of the neoplasm for further study and analysis. If the listed diagnostic measures still do not provide a complete picture of the disease, thoracotomy or thoracoscopy is additionally performed. As a rule, these methods allow a comprehensive study of the disease even in cases where other studies have not yielded the desired result.
Treatment of lung cancer involves three types of methods:
Surgical operation
The tumor is often removed along with part of the lung. Sometimes one lung has to be removed entirely. If regional lymph nodes have been affected, they are also subject to surgical removal. The operation is performed using a minimally invasive method, which allows even elderly people and patients with weakened bodies to be operated on.
Radiation therapy
Ionizing radiation is used, which specifically affects tumor tissue, stops its development and promotes the death of malignant cells. In the case of lung cancer, radiation therapy is the second most effective treatment method.
Chemotherapy
Special drugs are introduced into the patient's body that selectively suppress the growth and development of cancer cells. The impact on healthy tissues and organs is insignificant. Chemotherapy is often performed after surgery to eliminate residual cancer cells and reduce the risk of recurrence of the disease.
At the Humanitas clinic, oncologists, surgeons, radiotherapists and a number of specialists from other disciplines are involved in the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer. All in order to make an accurate diagnosis and individually develop a treatment program that will be most effective for a specific patient.
Histological examinations are mandatory, the stage of cancer, general health condition and other indicators are determined. Based on this information, a decision is made on the implementation of a particular treatment, the combination of different methods, etc.
Modern treatment includes surgery to remove affected tissue, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and other methods. In some cases, patients may participate in clinical research. More details about the specifics of the disease and its treatment are below in the article.
Risk factors and symptoms of the disease
Scientists say the main risk factor is inhalation of carcinogens. Cigarette smoke contains a large amount of them, which is why about 90% of lung cancer cases are associated with smoking. Often, the longer a person smokes and the more they smoke per day, the greater the risk to the body. Even passive smoking is harmful. For example, if there is at least one smoker in the family, the probability of lung cancer in relatives increases by 30%.
Cancer can also be caused by polluted atmosphere. Residents of cities and areas where processing and mining industries are concentrated are particularly susceptible to risk. Here, respiratory diseases and cancer in particular are encountered 3-4 times more often.
Other risk factors:
radiation exposure;
contact with chromium, nickel, asbestos, radon and other hazardous substances;
previous lung diseases: tuberculosis, bronchitis, pneumonia, etc.
Statistics show that women are more prone to lung cancer than men.
The main symptoms of the disease:
prolonged and persistent cough;
chest pain, especially noticeable when taking a deep breath;
loss of appetite and weight loss;
hoarseness in voice;
increased incidence of pulmonary diseases.
As the disease progresses, pain in the bones, weakness in the arms and legs, dizziness, yellowing of the skin, etc. begin to appear. At the first suspicion of the disease, it is necessary to immediately contact a specialist for diagnosis.
Diagnosis and treatment
It is difficult to diagnose lung cancer at an early stage (unless targeted diagnostics are performed). Symptoms and development are very similar to common diseases. The main method for detecting a malignant tumor is an X-ray examination. Computed tomography and PET-CT serve as a clarifying method.
To determine the type of formation, its size and degree of development with high accuracy, bronchoscopy is used. The method allows visual observation of symptoms, as well as taking a tissue sample of the neoplasm for further study and analysis. If the listed diagnostic measures still do not provide a complete picture of the disease, thoracotomy or thoracoscopy is additionally performed. As a rule, these methods allow a comprehensive study of the disease even in cases where other studies have not yielded the desired result.
Treatment of lung cancer involves three types of methods:
Surgical operation
The tumor is often removed along with part of the lung. Sometimes one lung has to be removed entirely. If regional lymph nodes have been affected, they are also subject to surgical removal. The operation is performed using a minimally invasive method, which allows even elderly people and patients with weakened bodies to be operated on.
Radiation therapy
Ionizing radiation is used, which specifically affects tumor tissue, stops its development and promotes the death of malignant cells. In the case of lung cancer, radiation therapy is the second most effective treatment method.
Chemotherapy
Special drugs are introduced into the patient's body that selectively suppress the growth and development of cancer cells. The impact on healthy tissues and organs is insignificant. Chemotherapy is often performed after surgery to eliminate residual cancer cells and reduce the risk of recurrence of the disease.