Unfortunately, lung cancer is among the most common cancers both worldwide and in Türkiye, and smoking is the cause in 95% of cases. Other factors are also important but account for only 5%. Occupational factors, chemical exposure, as well as genetic makeup and sex are also important. It is seen more often in men in particular.
What are the symptoms of lung cancer?
Sometimes it causes no symptoms at all and progresses very insidiously. We may even detect a tumor on a chest X-ray taken from a patient who came in for an unrelated reason. When it does cause symptoms, however, patients may present with back pain, shortness of breath, phlegm or even bloody phlegm, and complaints related to any metastases.
How is lung cancer diagnosed?
Most importantly, every patient over the age of 40 who smokes and has the risk factors we have mentioned must have a chest X-ray once a year. We recommend this routinely. If we have any suspicion, we move on to further tests, which can go as far as computed tomography (CT), PET (cancer screening tomography), bronchoscopy and biopsy.
What are the treatment options for lung cancer?
Removal of the tumor tissue, that is, surgery, is the most definitive treatment. However, if the disease has progressed to a more advanced stage, we also give chemotherapy and radiotherapy. More recently, immunotherapy and genetic (targeted) interventions have also been added to the literature.
The information on our website is not intended to direct individuals to any treatment. Do not take any diagnostic or treatment steps without consulting your doctor. The content does not contain information about İzmir Can Hastanesi's therapeutic healthcare services.
