Lung Cancer
"Performing an annual chest CT scan on people at risk helps to reduce lung cancer mortality".
DR. MARÍA RODRÍGUEZ PÉREZ
COORDINATOR. LUNG CANCER AREA
What is lung cancer?
Lung cancer is a type of tumour that arises because lung cells grow in an exaggerated and uncontrolled manner. This type of cancer usually originates in the cells of the lung tissue, causing local problems by occupying space and compressing nearby structures. In addition, it can spread through lymph nodes and/or blood vessels to other organs of the body.
Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers. Hence the need for early diagnosis. This diagnosis is essential to achieve a cure in up to 90% of patients when there is no invasion of neighbouring structures or distant metastasis.
The Clínica Universidad de Navarra is a pioneer in Spain with its Lung Cancer Early Detection Programme. Led by a highly qualified team, this programme performs an annual low-dose CT scan quickly and accurately in the at-risk population.
With this programme, 85% of lung cancers have been diagnosed in early stages and patients have been cured by surgery.
The Lung Cancer Department of the Cancer Centre Clínica Universidad de Navarra, with more than 35 years of experience, offers the best specialists and the most advanced techniques to achieve a cure for lung cancer.
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What are the symptoms of anal cancer?
In almost two thirds of cases, lung cancer produces no symptoms or very non-specific symptoms. Therefore, in most cases, it is diagnosed in advanced stages.
Lung cancer does not produce symptoms or the symptoms it causes are very non-specific (tiredness, loss of appetite or weight loss, etc.) or similar to the symptoms of other benign diseases.
In the case of symptoms caused by local tumour growth and invasion of neighbouring lung structures, persistent cough, whether or not associated with expectoration, is the most common, occurring in 45-75% of patients.
On the other hand, haemoptysis, which is the expulsion of blood when coughing, appears on occasion in up to 50% of lung cancer patients.
Another symptom is dyspnoea or shortness of breath, usually caused by lung space occupation that prevents the correct entry of air.
On other occasions, the symptoms appear due to the existence of distant metastases, most frequently in the lymph nodes, bones, brain, liver and adrenal glands.
Finally, there are a series of symptoms caused by so-called paraneoplastic syndromes (symptoms that are not directly caused by the tumour), caused by inappropriate secretion of substances by the tumour.
Do you have any of these symptoms?
If you suspect that you have any of the above symptoms,
you should consult a medical specialist for a diagnosis.
What are the causes?
Tobacco is the main cause of lung cancer in more than 80% of cases. A chronic smoker's lifetime chance of developing lung cancer can be as high as 30%, compared to 1% for non-smokers. The risk depends on the number of cigarettes smoked per day, as well as the number of years smoked.
The risk of developing lung cancer decreases with cessation of smoking, although it persists for some years.
Other factors in addition to passive smoking include exposure to asbestos, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, arsenic and nickel, as well as other lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and/or pulmonary fibrosis.
What is the prognosis?
Generally speaking, tumours of the anal canal represent a curable disease, especially when diagnosed at an early stage. Early detection allows treatment to be initiated before the disease progresses, improving the patient's chances of recovery and survival.
Prognostic factors that influence tumour progression include tumour size and lymph node involvement. These factors are often directly related to the prognosis and aggressiveness of the cancer.
Five-year survival statistics also vary according to the stage at diagnosis. For stage T1 and T2 tumours, detected at early stages, the overall five-year survival is 86%. However, in advanced stages, this rate decreases to 45%, reinforcing the importance of early detection and timely treatment.
How is breast cancer diagnosed?
Diagnosis of lung cancer requires a number of tests, including:
- Medical history with physical examination
- General laboratory tests
- Chest X-ray
- Chest CT scan
- CT or MRI scan of the brain
- PET
- Respiratory function tests
In most cases, endoscopic studies are necessary to take a tissue sample to determine the type of tumour.
- Bronchoscopy
- Transthoracic puncture
- Echobronchoscopy (EBUS/EUS)
- Mediastinoscopy
Treatments for lung cancer
A multidisciplinary team is essential in the treatment of lung cancer.
When lung cancer is localised, a surgical approach is possible and the patient can be cured in a high percentage of cases.
To know if surgery is possible, the resectability of the lesion and the operability of the patient must be assessed, and respiratory function tests must be performed to determine whether the respiratory reserve remaining after surgery will be sufficient for the patient to breathe.
Existing surgical procedures to consider:
- Lobectomy: removal of one lobe of the lung, applicable to patients with adequate respiratory reserve, which minimises the likelihood of localised recurrence.
- Pneumonectomy: removal of the entire lung.
- Segmentectomy or wedge resection: removal of part of a lobe. It is performed in patients with impaired respiratory function.
In cases of disseminated disease at diagnosis, surgery may also be a valid therapeutic strategy in selected cases: limited number of metastases, control of the primary tumour and operability of the patient.
Robotic surgery involves removing the lung nodule through small incisions through which the robot's instruments are inserted. Thanks to robotic surgery, the surgeon performs the surgery through incisions of no more than one centimetre.
It is a minimally invasive surgery that allows us to perform operations that are much less aggressive for the patient, with a faster recovery, fewer complications and greater safety.
The use of the surgical robot allows for greater precision, better vision and optimisation of the treatment. It eliminates the trembling of the surgeon's hands and provides a 10x magnification view.
The Clínica Universidad de Navarra applies accelerated recovery protocols (ERAS) that seek to reduce pain, hospital stay and the appearance of possible complications associated with surgery. Through the multidisciplinary work of the specialists, who are highly trained in the latest advances available, the patient will experience an accelerated recovery that will allow them to resume their day-to-day life more easily.
The administration of chemotherapy has several therapeutic variants:
- Adjuvant treatment: after complete surgery in operated and cured patients.
- Neoadjuvant treatment: prior to possible surgical resection with the aim of reducing the size of the tumour.
- Palliative treatment: in the context of disseminated disease.
Currently, a histological and/or molecular diagnosis that is as accurate as possible is essential for the type of chemotherapy treatment to be the most recommended for that case. Its benefit in terms of survival and the risk of toxicity should be discussed individually with the medical and nursing team.
The Clínica Universidad de Navarra has a Palliative Medicine Service, recognised by the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) as a centre of excellence providing comprehensive care to patients in association with their medical treatment to maximise their survival and quality of life.
Radiation therapy may be used as a combination treatment with chemotherapy for:
- Patients with lung tumors that are inoperable due to their location and/or size.
- Patients with operable tumors who are not candidates for surgical treatment.
- Patients with metastasis, for symptom control (bone metastases that produce pain, brain involvement that causes seizures, etc.).
The Hospital has extensive experience in the administration of external and internal radiation therapy. At its Madrid location, it also features the most advanced Proton Therapy Unit in Europe and the first in a cancer center, with all the associated patient-care, academic and research support, and the services of a highly specialized hospital.
Immunotherapy, as a treatment strategy alone or in association with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, is one of the great recent advances in the treatment of lung cancer.
The Clínica Universidad de Navarra has been a pioneer in its development and implementation with a comprehensive programme that combines basic and translational research (Immunology and Immunotherapy Programme) with the clinical application of new therapeutic approaches (Onco-Hematology Programme).
The Clinic has an Advanced Therapies Unit, which has the technology and facilities necessary for the manufacture of all immunotherapy products related to adaptive cell therapy.
Lung cancer is the paradigm of a tumour with personalised treatment. Correct diagnosis involves molecular targeting of the tumour using laboratory technology, which makes it possible to offer patients treatment options targeted to the specific alterations found in these analyses.
These strategies offer the maximum benefit and the lowest risk of side effects in up to 20% of cases.
The Clínica Universidad de Navarra works in close collaboration with Cima Lab Diagnostics, which has the facilities and technology necessary for the analysis of these biomarkers (predictive and/or diagnostic) that allow individualised treatment of the main types of tumours.
Early lung cancer detection
Our Early Lung Cancer Detection Program has been running for 20 years.
The program includes an annual chest CT scan to monitor and detect cancer in the early stages, when tumors can be cured.
What clinical trials do we have on Lung Cancer?
Proton therapy for cancer
Proton therapy is the most precise external radiotherapy modality, providing better distribution of radiation dose and therefore less irradiation of healthy tissues.
The Proton Therapy Unit of the Cancer Center Clínica Universidad de Navarra in its Madrid headquarters is the most advanced in Europe and the first in a Cancer Center, with all its healthcare, academic and research support.
Where do we treat it?
IN NAVARRE AND MADRID
The Lung Cancer Area
of the Cancer Center Clínica Universidad de Navarra
The Lung Cancer Area is made up of specialists in Pneumology, Medical Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Thoracic Surgery, Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Pathological Anatomy, as well as researchers from the Solid Tumors and Biomarkers Program at the Summit.
The diagnostic process integrates tumor molecular biology to achieve the most complete diagnosis possible.
Diseases we treat
Why at the Clinica?
- Integral evaluation of the patient.
- Possibility of beginning personalized treatment 48 hours after the first consultation.
- Minimally invasive surgery for the prompt recovery of our patients.
IN NAVARRE AND MADRID
Our team of professionals
Top specialists with expertise in treating lung cancer
