Lung Cancer

Ingredients

• What is Lung Cancer?
• Types of Lung Cancer
• 1- Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)
• 2- Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)
• Causes of Lung Cancer
• What Causes Lung Cancer?
• Lung Cancer Symptoms
• Pleural Cancer Symptoms
• How is Lung Cancer Diagnosed?
• Symptoms of Lung Cancer in Women
• Symptoms of Lung Cancer in Men
• Lung Cancer Stages
• Lung Cancer Treatment
• Lung Cancer Surgery
• Clinical Experience and Case Example (Anonymized)
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Scientific Bibliography

Lung cancer is a serious health problem characterized by the uncontrolled proliferation of healthy cells in lung tissues. This abnormal cell increase forms a mass, that is, a tumor, over time, preventing the lung from performing normal respiratory functions.

Lung cancer mortality statistics worldwide show that this disease ranks first among all types of cancer.

However, thanks to current medical technologies, this picture can be successfully managed when diagnosed at an early stage.

Especially in recent years, the development of surgical techniques and innovative approaches such as immunotherapy have significantly increased the life expectancy and quality of life of patients.

What is Lung Cancer?

Lung cancer starts from the spongy epithelial cells lining the inner surface of the lungs in the rib cage.

These tissues, which are constantly exposed to air from the external environment, are highly prone to mutation due to toxic substances and carcinogens in the air.

These disruptions in the DNA structure of cells cause cells to divide non-stop by leaving the natural death cycle.

The formed tumor tissue does not only remain in the area where it is located, but also has the potential to cause lung cancer metastasis to other organs of the body, namely through the lymphatic pathways or blood circulation.

Early diagnosis is of vital surgical importance in terms of intervening before this spread begins.

Types of Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is basically divided into two main groups according to the cell appearance under the microscope and the rate of spread of the disease.

This distinction is the most critical step in determining the treatment protocol to be applied.

1- Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

It accounts for about 85% of all cases and generally tends to spread more slowly. It is divided into subtypes such as Adenocarcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

When caught at an early stage, surgical removal of the tumor is the most effective treatment method in lung cancer .

2- Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)

Small cell lung cancer is a more aggressive type and usually occurs in individuals with a history of heavy smoking.

It has the character of growing rapidly and spreading to distant parts of the body in the early period.

Surgical options are limited in this type, and combinations of chemotherapy and radiotherapy are generally preferred.

Main Differences Between Types of Lung Cancer

Feature	Non-Small Cell (NSCLC)	Small Cell (SCLC)
Incidence	80% – 85% (Most Common)	%15 – %20
Growth Rate	Relatively slow	Very Fast and Aggressive
Metastasis Status	Spreads Later	Spreads at a very early stage
Chance of Surgery	It is very high in the early stage	Rarely Applied

Causes of Lung Cancer

There is a complex interplay of environmental, occupational, and genetic factors involved in the development of lung cancer.

Continuous exposure to carcinogens, which exceeds the defense mechanisms of cells, leaves irreversible damage to the lung parenchyma.

Causes of lung cancer:

• Tobacco Use
• Passive Smoking
• Asbestos Exposure
• Radon Gas
• Air Pollution
• Genetic Predisposition

What Causes Lung Cancer?

The most basic and proven cause of the disease is the use of tobacco and tobacco products.

However, the fact that a symptom of lung cancer can occur even in individuals who have never smoked indicates that other risk factors should not be ignored.

  · Thousands of chemicals in cigarette smoke cause direct DNA damage

  · Being in environments exposed to cigarette smoke increases the risk of cancer by 20-30%

  · Asbestos fibers inhaled in the construction and mining sectors cause damage to lung tissue

  · Radioactive gas naturally found in the soil accumulates in closed spaces and poses an insidious risk.

  Industrial wastes and exhaust fumes threaten lung health in the long term

Prof. Dr. Levent Alpay: The first question our patients who are diagnosed with lung cancer asks is usually “Why me?”. Even if you do not smoke, environmental factors and genetic predisposition can trigger this process. However, you should not forget that; Whatever the cause, our ability to fight this disease is increasing day by day with modern surgical techniques and personalized treatments. The important thing is not to focus on the cause of the disease and waste time, but to quickly draw a treatment roadmap with the most accurate staging.

Lung Cancer Symptoms

Although lung cancer is a disease that usually progresses insidiously, the body gives some signals in the early period.

Correct reading of these signs directly positively affects the success of treatment and lung cancer survival rate statistics.

The most typical symptom of the disease is a persistent cough that lasts more than three weeks and does not respond to treatment.

In addition, lung cancer bleeding from the mouth (hemoptysis) is a critical symptom that patients are most concerned about and should consult a specialist immediately.

• Rapidly increasing shortness of breath and wheezing
• Sharp chest pain that increases when breathing deeply or coughing
• Unexplained loss of appetite and rapid weight loss
• Sudden and permanent hoarseness in the voice
• Lung infections that recur or do not heal (pneumonia/bronchitis)
• Chronic pain felt in the shoulder, back or arm areas

Pleural Cancer Symptoms

This type, also known as mesothelioma, develops in the pleura, the outer lining of the lung, usually as a result of asbestos exposure. Symptoms of pleural cancer, unlike lung parenchymal cancers, are more due to the accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity (pleural effusion).

• Pressure and pain felt on the side of the rib cage
• Severe shortness of breath that develops due to fluid accumulation and increases when lying down

Dry and persistent coughing fits

Swelling or deformities felt in the chest wall

Night sweats and high fever

How is Lung Cancer Diagnosed?

The definitive diagnosis of the disease is made not only by physical examination, but also by advanced imaging techniques and biopsy.

First of all, the lung cancer x-ray requested from the patient gives the first clue about masses or suspicious shadows in the chest cavity.

When a suspicious situation is detected, the cancerous chest X-ray or computed tomography (CT) requested shows the exact location of the tumor and its relationship with neighboring tissues.

• Low-Dose Computed Tomography: It is the most reliable method for early diagnosis in individuals in the risk group.
• PET-CT: It measures the spread (metastasis) and metabolic activity of the tumor in the body.
• Bronchoscopy: It is the process of taking parts from the suspicious area by entering through the airlines.

Symptoms of Lung Cancer in Women

This disease, whose incidence has increased in women in recent years, may progress differently from men due to biological differences.

Symptoms of lung cancer in women are usually associated with the more insidious type of “Adenocarcinoma”.

• Shortness of breath that comes only with exertion rather than a pronounced cough
• Constant feeling of tiredness, weakness and loss of energy
• Vague pains in the rib cage and back pain
• Secondary findings due to hormonal imbalances, although rare,

Symptoms of Lung Cancer in Men

“Squamous” type cancer, which is more directly related to smoking, is more common in men. Since this type affects the main airways, symptoms start out louder.

• Severe, coughing fits with phlegm and sometimes bloody
• Wheezing is pronounced enough to be heard from the outside
• Severe pressure and congestion felt in the chest center
• Significant decrease in muscle mass with loss of appetite

Prof. Dr. Levent Alpay: Neglecting the symptoms of lung cancer by saying “maybe it will pass” is the biggest factor that reduces the chance of surgical success. A millimetric lesion, especially on a cancerous lung x-ray , sometimes opens the door to a life-saving intervention. Remember, symptoms such as pain or bleeding often indicate that the disease is progressing; Therefore, if you are in the risk group, you should have regular check-ups instead of waiting for symptoms.

Lung Cancer Stages

Staging in lung cancer is based on the size of the tumor, its spread to the lymph nodes, and distant organ involvement. Correct staging is the most critical step in determining the treatment method to be applied.

• Stage 1: The tumor is only in a small part of the lung and has not spread to the lymph nodes.
• Stage 2: The mass has grown larger or spread to nearby lymph nodes within the lung.
• Stage 3: The tumor has reached the space between the two lungs or neighboring structures, such as the chest wall.
• Stage 4: It is the stage where the disease spreads to distant organs, such as the bone, brain, or liver.

Although many patients are concerned about lung cancer stage 4 life expectancy , successful results such as chronic disease management can be obtained even at this stage thanks to today’s immunotherapy and targeted smart drugs.

Lung Cancer Treatment

Treatment plan; It is personalized according to the type and stage of cancer and the patient’s general health condition.

The aim of this process, which is carried out with a multidisciplinary approach, is to destroy the tumor or keep the patient’s quality of life at the highest level.

• Chemotherapy: It is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing.
• Radiotherapy: It is the targeting of tumor tissue with high-energy rays.
• Smart Medicines: They are molecular treatments that target only the cancerous cell and have fewer side effects.
• Immunotherapy: It is an innovative method that activates the body’s own immune system to fight cancer.

Comparison Table of Treatment Methods

Treatment Method	Purpose of Application	Recovery/Process
Surgery	Completely removing the tumor from the body	1-4 weeks (depending on technique)
Radiotherapy	Regional control and cell destruction	In sessions, daily application
Chemotherapy	Systemic control and cell death	In 21-day cycles
Immunotherapy	Strengthening the immune system	Long-term, relatively few side effects

Lung Cancer Surgery

In early and some mid-stage cases, surgery is the surest solution for lung cancer .

The extent of surgical intervention varies depending on the location of the tumor and how much of the lung can be preserved.

• Lobectomy: Complete removal of the tumorous lobe of the lung (Gold standard).
• Segmentectomy / Wedge Resection: Removal of a smaller section of the lung.
• Pneumonectomy: If necessary, complete removal of one side of the lung.
• VATS (Closed Surgery): It is a method that is made with the help of small incisions and a camera and has a very short recovery time.

Prof. Dr. Levent Alpay: The decision to have surgery may seem scary for our patients, but in modern surgery, we now cause minimal damage to tissues with “closed methods”.

After a successful operation, our patients can usually stand up and return to their normal lives within a few days.

The survival rate of lung cancer after surgery reaches the highest level with the surgeon’s experience and the correct use of technology.

Clinical Experience and Case Example (Anonymized)

In a 58-year-old patient who applied to our clinic, stage 1 tumor was detected incidentally during routine check-ups.

Our patient underwent lobectomy with the closed (VATS) method and was discharged 3 days after the operation.

The health condition of our patient, who completed the 5th year follow-up without the need for additional treatment, is completely stable.

Frequently Asked Questions