Lung cancer

How common is lung cancer?

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. It is estimated to cause more deaths than breast, prostate and colon cancer together. In 2016, 239 thousand people died of lung cancer in the European Union. One out of five patients who died from cancer suffered from lung cancer.

There are two main types of lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer. The majority of patients (about 85-90%) suffer from non-small cell lung cancer.

Who are more likely to get lung cancer?

Most patients diagnosed with lung cancer are over 65 years old, but there is a small proportion of patients under 45 years old. Smoking is responsible for 80% of lung cancer cases. Smokers are at the highest risk of developing the disease, but it can also happen to people who have never smoked. A person’s risk of developing lung cancer increases with the length of time and the number of cigarettes smoked. Stopping smoking, even if a person has been a smoker for several years, can significantly reduce the chance of developing lung cancer. If you want to quit smoking, you can find more information here. (link for smoking) Apart from smokers, people with occupational and/or environmental exposure to toxic agents, patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) or pulmonary fibrosis and people with a family history of lung cancer are at risk of lung cancer.

Are there any symptoms indicative of lung cancer?

Lung cancer especially in the early stages shows non-specific or no symptoms which often delays its diagnosis. In cases where there are symptoms, these may include coughing that does not subside or worsens, shortness of breath (difficulty in breathing), haemoptysis (coughing or spitting up blood), hoarseness, chest pain, loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss, recurrent respiratory infections, feeling weak and tired.

Symptoms are also caused by the cancer spreading to other organs in the form of metastases. Thus, headache, nausea, vomiting, epileptic seizures, dizziness or drowsiness in brain involvement, diffuse algae in bone involvement and lymph node swelling may occur.
Sometimes it may occur with conditions such as thrombosis (e.g. in a limb) or embolism (e.g. pulmonary embolism) due to hypercoagulability, neurological disorders from nerve pressure or laboratory disorders such as anaemia, hyponatraemia or hypercalcaemia.

What tests does a patient with suspected lung cancer undergo?

In addition to the clinical examination of the patient, a combination of tests is usually needed, including plain radiography and chest CT scan, as well as bronchoscopy.

How is lung cancer diagnosed?

After diagnosis, most often further imaging is needed to determine the stage of the disease with some of the following tests: brain and abdominal CT scan, bone scintigraphy, brain MRI or PET-CT scan.

After being diagnosed with lung cancer, what happens next?

After diagnosis, most often further imaging is needed to determine the stage of the disease with some of the following tests: brain and abdominal CT scan, bone scintigraphy, brain MRI or PET-CT scan.

Molecular control

Advances in molecular biology and genetics in recent decades have led to the development of targeted therapies and their integration into lung cancer treatment. In some cases of lung cancer, cancer cells have been shown to carry driver mutations. These are most often in patients with adenocarcinomas (a type of non-small cell lung cancer), usually non-smokers, and women. These patients benefit from the administration of targeted therapies. Therefore, in some cases, further molecular testing of the histological material after pathological examination of the biopsy is indicated.

What are the treatments available today?

Developments in lung cancer treatment in recent years have been rapid and have dramatically improved the prognosis of patients. Available treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapies and immunotherapy.

Do all lung cancer patients receive the same treatment?

The therapeutic approach is individualized, i.e. different for each person with lung cancer and depends on the histological type of the tumor, the presence or absence of specific gene mutations or immune markers, the stage of the disease and the patient´s general health status.

What is the treatment of patients with early stage lung cancer?

Surgery cancellation of the disease offers the prospect of radical treatment and involves patients with early-stage cancer whose health condition allows them to undergo surgery. In some cases, chemotherapy is required prior to surgery to limit the local extent of the disease, which shall ensure a better surgical outcome. There are cases of patients who often need adjuvant (supplementary) chemotherapy even after surgery.

What options are available if the disease cannot be treated surgically?

In cases where surgical treatment is not possible, treatment options include chemotherapy, radiotherapy (through classical or radiosurgical techniques), targeted therapies and immunotherapy. The above options can be implemented individually or in various combinations, as each patient’s approach is unique and individualized.