Thoracic Surgery Specialist Prof. Dr. Alper Fındıkçıoğlu pointed out that lung cancer has a very high chance of being treated when detected early and said, “Today, cancerous tissues can be cleaned by entering through a small incision with closed surgery methods.”
Stating that lung cancer ranks first in cancer-related deaths all over the world, Acıbadem Adana Hospital Thoracic Surgery Specialist Prof. Dr. Alper Fındıkçıoğlu said, “More than 2 million people in the world are diagnosed with new lung cancer every year. Approximately 1 million 800 thousand people die due to lung cancer. In our country, lung cancer accounts for 21 percent of all cancers.”
“The biggest cause is tobacco and tobacco products”
Emphasizing that lung cancer usually gives symptoms in advanced stages, Prof. Dr. Fındıkçıoğlu added that while the disease initially causes non-serious complaints such as cough, sputum and weakness, it causes complaints such as bloody sputum, chest and back pain, loss of appetite and weight loss in advanced stages. Underlining that the biggest cause of lung cancer is the use of tobacco and tobacco products, Prof. Dr. Fındıkçıoğlu stated that genetic factors also play an active role in the formation of this cancer.
Stating that chemotherapy (drug treatment), smart drugs, immunotherapies for the immune system, radiotherapy (radiation therapy) and surgical treatment methods are used in the treatment, Prof. Dr. Fındıkçıoğlu said, “Lung cancer is a disease with a very high chance of being treated when detected early. Therefore, surgical treatment methods are used in lung cancers diagnosed early.”
“A small incision is made and cancerous tissue is removed”
Giving information about the closed surgery methods applied today, Prof. Dr. Fındıkçıoğlu said, “Video and robot-assisted thoracoscopic methods, in which cancerous tissues can be completely removed by entering the chest cavity through a small incision with camera systems, constitute an important part of the treatment. For closed methods, specially developed technological devices are used for these methods, which can be entered into the chest cavity through 1 or 2 tiny incisions, the largest of which is 2-3 cm. Minimal tissue damage occurs during the surgery, so healing is faster both in the internal organs and in the incision site.” He added that since patients will feel less pain during the healing process, they can get up in a short time and return to their normal lives as soon as possible and the need for intensive care after surgery is significantly reduced.
“It can be performed under local or general anesthesia in the closed method”
Pointing out that closed methods also play an important role in the diagnosis of lung diseases, Fındıkçıoğlu stated that these methods are also used in the diagnosis of fluid accumulation in the chest cavity of unknown cause, lung masses that are not suitable for biopsy with simple methods and enlarged lymph nodes. Stating that closed surgical methods can be performed under general anesthesia as well as local anesthesia without completely anesthetizing the patient, Prof. Dr. Fındıkçıoğlu said that surgical interventions can be applied to elderly patients or patients with poor general condition who cannot receive general anesthesia.
Mentioning that one of the most important features of closed methods is that patients can be discharged in a short time, Prof. Dr. Fındıkçıoğlu said, “Patients who need to be hospitalized for 8-10 days after open surgery can be discharged in 3-4 days after closed surgery. The need for painkillers and other medications after surgery also decreases. The short hospitalization period and the decrease in the use of medication also positively affect the treatment costs.”
İHA Haber Kodu: 20240907AW282819