Acıbadem Maslak Hospital Medical Oncology Specialist Prof. Dr. Özlem Er gave important information about lung cancer.
Symptoms of lung cancer may vary depending on the location of the tumor. Therefore, it is usually detected incidentally on a tomography or chest x-ray taken for other reasons. Acıbadem Maslak Hospital Medical Oncology Specialist Prof. Dr. Özlem Er pointed out that a doctor should be consulted without wasting time in case of the following symptoms, especially a 'persistent cough' lasting more than two weeks:
“New onset or a different, persistent cough, bleeding when coughing or spitting up, recurrent respiratory infections, pain in the shoulder, back or chest, difficulty breathing, hoarseness or wheezing, weakness and fatigue, swelling in the neck and face, difficulty swallowing.” , appetite and weight loss.”
Smoking increases the risk of lung cancer by 20 times
Prof. stated that the risk of lung cancer in smokers is 20 times higher than in non-smokers. Dr. Özlem Er warned that the earlier the age of starting smoking, the higher the risk of developing lung cancer, and said: "People between the ages of 20-50 who have smoked a pack or more of cigarettes a day for 77 years, those who are current smokers and those who have smoked for less than 15 years." "Those who quit smoking first constitute the risk group for lung cancer." said.
Treatment is planned specifically for the patient
Prof. Dr. Özlem Er pointed out that very successful results were obtained from the treatment thanks to the protocol applied specifically for the patient, and said, “Chemotherapy is the most important part of the treatment in small cell lung cancer. The reason for this is that this method is effective on rapidly proliferating cells. “Early stage lung cancer is treated with a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.” he said.
