Lung cancer is the leading cause of death in men and women worldwide. Approximately 2.2 million people are diagnosed with lung cancer annually, while 1.8 million people die due to this disease. While the incidence of lung cancer is decreasing in high-income countries worldwide, it is increasing in low- and middle-income countries. This increase is due to environmental factors such as widespread tobacco use, air pollution and demographic changes such as the elderly population. Medicana Health Group Chest Diseases Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pervin Korkmaz made explanations about lung cancer and prevention methods.
Lung cancer is a malignant tumor formed by altered cell groups that proliferate uncontrollably and abnormally in lung tissue. Medicana International Istanbul Hospital Chest Diseases Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pervin Korkmaz said, “The most common cause of lung cancer (90 percent) is smoking. Other risk factors include inhalation of asbestos fibers, radon gas, petroleum products, air pollution and a family history of the disease. The age of starting smoking, the duration of smoking and the amount of cigarettes consumed daily are closely related to the development of lung cancer. Being a passive smoker is also known to cause lung cancer.”
Stating that lung cancer is generally diagnosed at an advanced stage, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pervin Korkmaz explained the reason for this as follows:
“Complaints and findings related to lung cancer are associated with underlying comorbidities or smoking by the individual himself/herself. This situation delays patients from applying to a health institution. As the stage progresses, the disease progresses poorly. Complaints and symptoms vary depending on where the cancer is located and its extent. The most common complaints are cough, coughing up blood from the mouth, shortness of breath and chest pain. There may also be symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, headache, loss of appetite and weight loss.”
Early diagnosis enables surgical treatment
Stating that body scanning and pathological examination are performed if lung cancer is suspected with physical examination and imaging methods performed upon the patient's complaints; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pervin Korkmaz said, “The treatment to be applied is determined according to the pathologically detected cell type and the stage of the disease, even the presence of comorbidities and their condition. Unfortunately, surgical treatment can rarely be applied to cases diagnosed at an early stage. In other cases, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy or combinations thereof may be applied. It is the cell type and stage of the cancer that will determine the duration of life.”
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