According to WHO statistics, lung cancer is in the first place among all oncological diseases. This is a very dangerous malignant tumor, but modern methods of treatment in Israeli clinics give a high chance of full recovery even at serious stages of lung cancer. This is the main reason for the active development of medical tourism in Israel among patients with this severe kind of cancer from all over the world.
Risk factors
- Smoking. This is the main risk factor for the appearance of a malignant neoplasm in the lungs. Moreover, the probability of developing the disease is not reduced by smoking all kinds of modern electronic cigarettes without tar and ‘vapes’. Up to 75-90% of patients diagnosed with this condition smoke or smoked in the past.
- Passive smoking. If a person does not smoke, but is constantly surrounded by smokers, they are at high risk of developing a tumor.
- Toxic fumes and aerosols. Exposure to asbestos, arsenic, and even diesel fuel can trigger lung cancer. This is a serious risk factor in hazardous industries.
- Chest irradiation. This can be either accidental contamination with radioactive materials, or improper radiation therapy.
- Heredity. Almost any type of cancer has a genetic risk factor. If there are ancestors in the family who have been diagnosed with lung cancer, it is necessary to undergo an annual examination, at least a fluorographic one.
- Sex. This is a relative risk factor, since both sexes suffer from lung cancer, but statistics show that men are more amenable to it.
Symptoms of lung cancer
The peculiarity of this cancer is its asymptomatic course in the early stages, when the chances of a complete recovery are almost 100%. Israeli oncologists and pulmonologists insist on an annual preventive examination with fluorography or X-rays. In the progressive stage of lung cancer, the patient may notice some characteristic symptoms:
- frequent and / or painful cough;
- blood in expectorated sputum (hemoptisis);
- chest pain;
- dyspnea.
As with any other cancer, lung cancer is characterized by rapid, gratuitous weight loss.
Diagnostics
Clinical methods for diagnosing lung cancer, determining the size of the tumor, and accurately positioning it include:
- laboratory tests (blood biochemistry, specific genetic tests, etc.);
- computer and positron emission tomography (PET and CT);
- biopsy and pleural puncture;
- bronchoscopy.
Specific tests for genetic mutations in the tumor help to accurately select the course of chemotherapy from more than a hundred effective drugs available in clinics in Israel.
Treatment of lung cancer
Depending on the stage of cancer, the size of the tumor, its location, and the type of lung cancer, which can be small-cell or non-small-cell, Israeli oncologists collectively choose a course of treatment, which in most cases is combined and includes:
- minimally invasive surgery, including the state-of-the-art Da Vinci robotic surgery;
- precise radiotherapy;
- gentle chemotherapy with safe new generation drugs;
- biotherapy (immunotherapy).
In clinics and cancer centers in Israel, doctors practice the most modern methods of cancer treatment, as well as develop their own methods and protocols that are accepted internationally. In addition, Israel has created comfortable conditions for full-fledged effective rehabilitation after a course of chemotherapy and cancer operations.