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Lung cancer treatment is personalized, depending on the patient's general health, the stage of the disease, and the type of cancer. In this complex process, selecting a fully equipped hospital and expert physicians is critically important.
After surgery, adjuvant therapy may be administered to destroy any microscopic cancer cells that might remain. This treatment is tailored to the patient's diagnostic report, age, and general health status, and may include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or a combination of both. In some early-stage patients, adjuvant therapy may not be necessary after surgery.
Surgical treatment is an important method for lung cancer. The type of operation varies depending on the cancer's location and size in the lung. This may involve removing a small part of the lung (wedge resection), a lobe (lobectomy), or rarely, an entire lung (pneumonectomy). However, some tumors may not be suitable for surgery due to their location, size, or the patient's general health condition.
Chemotherapy is a treatment method aimed at destroying cancer cells with medication. It is usually administered as a combination of two different drugs and supervised by specially trained nurses. The treatment is typically repeated in 'cycles' lasting 21-28 days and is generally given intravenously or as oral pills in fully equipped outpatient centers; in some cases, hospitalization may be required. After each cycle, patients are regularly checked at the medical oncology outpatient clinic for side effects, general condition, and organ function. A blood count check is mandatory before each cycle. The decision to start chemotherapy and the number of cycles is made considering the tumor characteristics in the pathology report, as well as the patient's age and general health status. Patients with very poor general health may not be suitable for chemotherapy as they might not tolerate the side effects. If post-surgical chemotherapy is required, it is generally preferred to start it within 3 weeks after the operation. After the first cycle and before each subsequent cycle, the patient's general condition, blood tests, and tolerance to side effects are evaluated, and dose adjustments can be made if necessary.
Targeted Therapies (Smart Drugs) are an innovative treatment method, especially for non-small cell and non-squamous lung cancer types, applied as oral pills based on the genetic characteristics of the tumor. This treatment is not suitable for small cell and squamous cell lung cancer types. In advanced-stage non-small cell and non-squamous lung cancers, when specific genetic changes such as EGFR mutation or ALK fusion are detected in pathology reports, targeted therapies may be preferred as a first-line treatment. Although these genetic tests are more frequently positive in non-smokers, the positivity rate is around 20% even in smokers; this means that one out of five patients could benefit from these treatments, and this potential should never be overlooked.
Radiotherapy (radiation therapy) aims to destroy cancer cells using high-energy rays. Applied by focusing on a specific area, this treatment can be used to shrink the tumor before surgery, clear residual cells after surgery, or as a primary treatment in combination with chemotherapy when surgery is not feasible. In advanced stages, it can also be used palliatively to alleviate symptoms such as shortness of breath or pain.
Immunotherapy (Lung Cancer Vaccine) is one of the significant advancements in lung cancer treatment, particularly in recent years. Primarily concerning stage IV lung cancer patients, this treatment is based on the principle of activating the patient's own immune system against cancer cells. A significant advantage is that it generally has fewer side effects compared to chemotherapy drugs. While previously it was a method resorted to when other treatments failed, today, in the USA and Europe, stage IV lung cancer patients can be treated with this cancer vaccine as a first-line therapy. Before starting immunotherapy, specific tests are conducted to determine if the patient is suitable for this type of lung cancer. If suitability is confirmed, treatment can begin from the moment of diagnosis. Although it does not have typical side effects like nausea or vomiting, it can cause temporary inflammation in the intestines and thyroid gland. Currently used primarily in stage IV patient groups, immunotherapy has the potential to prolong the life expectancy of patients in this stage, where all treatments are aimed at improving quality of life and extending survival.
How is Lung Cancer Treated?
After surgery, adjuvant therapy may be administered to destroy any microscopic cancer cells that might remain. This treatment is tailored to the patient's diagnostic report, age, and general health status, and may include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or a combination of both. In some early-stage patients, adjuvant therapy may not be necessary after surgery.
Surgical treatment is an important method for lung cancer. The type of operation varies depending on the cancer's location and size in the lung. This may involve removing a small part of the lung (wedge resection), a lobe (lobectomy), or rarely, an entire lung (pneumonectomy). However, some tumors may not be suitable for surgery due to their location, size, or the patient's general health condition.
Chemotherapy is a treatment method aimed at destroying cancer cells with medication. It is usually administered as a combination of two different drugs and supervised by specially trained nurses. The treatment is typically repeated in 'cycles' lasting 21-28 days and is generally given intravenously or as oral pills in fully equipped outpatient centers; in some cases, hospitalization may be required. After each cycle, patients are regularly checked at the medical oncology outpatient clinic for side effects, general condition, and organ function. A blood count check is mandatory before each cycle. The decision to start chemotherapy and the number of cycles is made considering the tumor characteristics in the pathology report, as well as the patient's age and general health status. Patients with very poor general health may not be suitable for chemotherapy as they might not tolerate the side effects. If post-surgical chemotherapy is required, it is generally preferred to start it within 3 weeks after the operation. After the first cycle and before each subsequent cycle, the patient's general condition, blood tests, and tolerance to side effects are evaluated, and dose adjustments can be made if necessary.
Targeted Therapies (Smart Drugs) are an innovative treatment method, especially for non-small cell and non-squamous lung cancer types, applied as oral pills based on the genetic characteristics of the tumor. This treatment is not suitable for small cell and squamous cell lung cancer types. In advanced-stage non-small cell and non-squamous lung cancers, when specific genetic changes such as EGFR mutation or ALK fusion are detected in pathology reports, targeted therapies may be preferred as a first-line treatment. Although these genetic tests are more frequently positive in non-smokers, the positivity rate is around 20% even in smokers; this means that one out of five patients could benefit from these treatments, and this potential should never be overlooked.
Radiotherapy (radiation therapy) aims to destroy cancer cells using high-energy rays. Applied by focusing on a specific area, this treatment can be used to shrink the tumor before surgery, clear residual cells after surgery, or as a primary treatment in combination with chemotherapy when surgery is not feasible. In advanced stages, it can also be used palliatively to alleviate symptoms such as shortness of breath or pain.
Immunotherapy (Lung Cancer Vaccine) is one of the significant advancements in lung cancer treatment, particularly in recent years. Primarily concerning stage IV lung cancer patients, this treatment is based on the principle of activating the patient's own immune system against cancer cells. A significant advantage is that it generally has fewer side effects compared to chemotherapy drugs. While previously it was a method resorted to when other treatments failed, today, in the USA and Europe, stage IV lung cancer patients can be treated with this cancer vaccine as a first-line therapy. Before starting immunotherapy, specific tests are conducted to determine if the patient is suitable for this type of lung cancer. If suitability is confirmed, treatment can begin from the moment of diagnosis. Although it does not have typical side effects like nausea or vomiting, it can cause temporary inflammation in the intestines and thyroid gland. Currently used primarily in stage IV patient groups, immunotherapy has the potential to prolong the life expectancy of patients in this stage, where all treatments are aimed at improving quality of life and extending survival.