Lung cancer has been the most common malignant disease in Serbia for years, especially in men. Unfortunately, it is a disease that is fatal for many people. Early detection is of greatest importance for the treatment of this malignancy. Carcinoma can be small cell lung carcinoma, with rapid growth and distant metastases, squamous lung carcinoma (in smokers from cells that line the inside of the airways), adenocarcinoma (from mucous-producing cells), and large-cell lung carcinoma.
Symptoms and risk factors
Symptoms of lung cancer are usually prolonged, persistent cough, coughing and lung pain. Chest pain occurs when coughing, deep breathing and person is breathing with difficulty. It is not rare that a person has persistent pneumonia at the same spot, which does not pass after medicament treatment. Usually there is a loss of appetite and weight loss. Smoking and genetic predisposition are among the most serious factors. The appearance of lung cancer is obviously influenced by environmental factors and work related to inhalation of vapors (air pollution, asbestos, radon, chromium).
Diagnosing lung cancer
Lung carcinoma is determined by X ray of the lungs, cytopathological analysis of sputum, bronchoscopy, CT examination and MRI. Bronchoscopy is the basic method for determining the condition of the airways and it is completely painless. There are still invasive methods: a mediastinoscopy that enters the lungs through a small cut on the neck uses a small tube and inspects it.
During the examination, the patient is in general anesthesia. VATS is a similar method of lung examination, with a cut on the chest, and it is possible to examine pleura. During CT scanning it is possibile to take a lung biopsy (taking a tissue sample) can also be performed for the pathohistological and cytological examination of the tissue. When diagnose is determined as well as type and extent of cancer, the medical team recommends the most suitable type of treatment.
Lung cancer surgery
The method of treatment depends on the type of cancer, its position, the stage of disease, development and the general condition of the patient. Treatment is surgical, with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. With the operation it is removed a part of the lungs affected by the carcinoma (non-cellular) if it is possible that the rest of the lung performs its role without problems.
Another condition for lung operation is that cancer is not spread beyond the lungs. In some cases it is possible remove surgically an entire pulmonary tissue, with the patient having no problems later on with breathing. It is also possible to remove only one lung part or only one minor part. All operations are performed in general anesthesia and usually last for several hours.
Post surgery recovery
The recovery from lung cancer surgery is individual, but lasts usually for several weeks. Recovery is accompanied by various problems that is diminished with the use of prescribed drugs. The wound is drained with the help of tubes that are placed during surgery and removed after a few days. For the first few days, the patient gets infusion to maintain nutrition supplies continuously. Depending on the condition, the patient is kept in hospital from seven to ten days after surgery.
After surgery it advised to patients to begin moving as soon as possible in order to avoid complications related to blood clotting. Physiotherapist will show the patient the breathing exercises that will be practiced in the hospital, as well as at home. Swimming and walking are exercises that are recommended for all patients after lung surgery. After surgery, the doctor will recommend check ups for two to three months.
The Atlas General Hospital allows you to complete all the necessary diagnostics, examinations and laboratory analyzes without waiting. The hospital is equipped with cutting edge medical technique that enables precise diagnostics. Only timely diagnosis of lung carcinoma allows right treatment. Experienced oncologists will approach the patient in a human manner, analyze and propose the most suitable form of treatment.
