Lung Cancer is the Most Common Cancer Type in the World and in Turkey

Lung cancer, which is the most common type of cancer in the world and in Turkey, is also the type of cancer that causes the most deaths. Stating that lung cancer is around 21 percent among all cancers, Anadolu Health Center Thoracic Surgery Specialist Prof. Dr. Altan Kır said, “In addition to tobacco use, environmental factors such as passive smoking, some substances in the soil and air pollution are the causes of lung cancer. Lung cancer usually does not show any symptoms, it is usually caught during a screening or control. However, due to the pandemic, many people we suspected of having COVID-19 were scanned, and many lung tumors were caught in the early stages," he said. prof. Dr. Altan Kır gave important information on the occasion of November Lung Cancer Awareness Month…

Lung cancer is the most common type of cancer in men, while lung cancer ranks 5th in women. Underlining that lung cancer is the type of cancer that causes the most death, that is, 5 out of 1 cancer patients dies due to lung cancer, Anadolu Medical Center Thoracic Surgery Specialist Prof. Dr. Altan Kır, “The most important cause of lung cancer is the use of tobacco and tobacco products. However, lung cancer can be seen not only in those who use tobacco and tobacco products, but also in people who have never used tobacco and tobacco products, around 10%. Environmental factors are also important; Especially passive smoking, some substances in the soil and air pollution can cause lung cancer. Genetic factors are also important; The risk increases in those who have lung cancer in their family and first-degree relatives.

Lung cancer does not usually show symptoms.

Underlining that lung cancer usually does not give any symptoms, Thoracic Surgery Specialist Prof. Dr. Altan Kır said, “These tumors are usually caught during a scan or control. However, today, due to the pandemic, many people who we suspect of COVID-19 were scanned, and many lung tumors were caught in the early stages. If the tumor is in or close to the airways, respiratory complaints such as resistant cough, coughing up blood, and shortness of breath can be seen. In addition, complaints related to the involvement of neighboring structures or tissues such as hoarseness and chest pain may also be seen. In addition, patients may present with general cancer symptoms such as weight loss, loss of appetite, and fatigue.

Imaging methods are used for the diagnosis of lung cancer

Emphasizing that imaging methods are applied to patients with suspected lung diagnosis, Prof. Dr. Altan Kır said, “Besides the classical imaging methods, we apply tomography and some special imaging methods that show the metabolic activity of the disease. Depending on the results of these, depending on the localization of the tumor, we either perform a biopsy from the airway endoscopically, that is, by entering the trachea with an instrument called bronchoscopy, or we diagnose it by biopsy with a needle, with the help of tomography from the outside. We determine the cell type of cancer. Lung cancer generally has two main cell types. One is small cell lung cancer and the other is non-small cell lung cancer. Lung cancer, which we call small cell, constitutes about 20 percent of all lung cancers.

Surgical treatment can be applied to 20% of lung cancers

Reminding that since metastases can be seen in lymph nodes and distant organs in a very short time in small cell lung cancer, surgical treatment is not generally recommended for their treatment. Dr. Altan Kır said, “However, when the tumor is very small and detected early, surgical treatment has a place. We can perform surgical treatment in approximately 20 percent of lung cancers. There are 3 basic treatment methods for tumors such as lung tumors, which we call 'solid organ tumors'. Surgical treatments, chemotherapies and radiotherapies. Surgical treatment is the most important treatment method in the early stages.

Robotic surgery is a method that causes less trauma to the patient

Reminding that the aim of surgical treatment is to control the disease locally and to determine the pathological stage of the disease, Prof. Dr. Altan Kır said, “What we do in the surgical procedure is to remove either the lobe or segments of the lung or the entire lung together with the lymph nodes. Sometimes we also remove the tissues or structures that are involved with the lungs and lymph nodes. There are two different surgical methods, open and closed. In the open surgical method, we perform the operation by entering between the ribs through an incision of approximately 10-15 cm. In this type of surgery, patients have more pain after surgery and a longer recovery period. Among the closed surgeries, there is also robotic surgery. On the other hand, since robotic surgery is a method that causes less trauma to the patient surgically, the postoperative comfort of the patient is much better.