Lung cancer
Overview
Approximately 2 million people in the world are diagnosed with lung cancer each year. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death for both women and men. People who smoke have the greatest risk of developing lung cancer. Other risk factors include a family history, air pollution and exposure to asbestos and other carcinogens.
Diagnosis
Most lung cancer patients have one of the following symptoms: coughing (sometimes with blood), shortness of breath, weakness, weight-loss most, problems with swallowing, or chest pain.
Lung cancer is most often detected on an x-ray or a computed tomography (CT) scan. If your doctor detects a mass in your imaging studies, they will recommend you undergo a biopsy, which will confirm the diagnosis and give your doctors more information on the cellular and molecular characteristics of the tumor.
There are two major types of lung cancer, which are determined based on the appearance of the cancer cells under a microscope. These are non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC).
To further analyze the molecular characteristics of the cancer, the GMI team looks for mutations in the cancer’s DNA. There are hundreds of different molecular diagnoses, including mutations to the EGFR, ALK, KRAS and ROS1 genes. These genetic mutations can impact a patient’s prognosis, including how quickly the lung cancer grows and spreads, and how the disease will respond to specific treatments, such as to different types of chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy.
To assess the potential spread of the cancer, your GMI medical team may recommend you undergo further imaging studies. The GMI offers the most advanced medical imaging techniques, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography / computed tomography (PET / CT).
Treatment
Every step in the diagnostic procedure helps the GMI team tailor each treatment plan to each patient, taking into consideration your individual case and personal preferences. To determine the best course of action each patient’s case is discussed in a multidisciplinary tumor board where several experts from our team come together to create your comprehensive treatment plan.
For cases where the cancer remains localized, a dedicated team of surgeons or radiation oncologists will eradicate the tumor using the most modern treatment options. The GMI Radiation Oncology team has received world-wide recognition for implementing high-precision radiotherapy techniques, such as brachytherapy or stereotactic body radiotherapy.
For cases where the cancer is at a more advanced stage, our Medical Oncology team will propose the best treatment plan for each patient, which will include the newest regimen of systemic therapies like targeted therapy, chemotherapy and / or immunotherapy.
Why GMI
At the GMI German Oncology Center, a dedicated team of internationally acclaimed physicians guides each lung cancer patient through their entire journey, from their diagnostic work-up to their treatment and post-treatment care.
The GMI team will never offer a simple “one size fits all” approach to any patient. We believe each patient’s case is as individual as they are and strive to find the best solution for each of our patients, taking their specific case and diagnosis, their lifestyle, and choices into account.
We believe each of our patients is more than their diagnosis. That’s why our dedicated paramedics team supports lung cancer patients on their journey by offering more than just expert medical care. We offer psychological help, integrative oncology services (including yoga classes, and acupuncture) and have a GMI Patient Advocacy Program.
Adhering to our passion for innovation, and desire to progress the medical field, the GMI German Oncology Center both initiates and participates in several clinical trials in which the most modern and advanced treatment concepts are tested.
