What does early stage lung cancer mean?
Early stage lung cancer means the disease is at the first stage. At this stage, the disease is only in a part of the lung and has not spread to any lymph nodes. We divide the early stage into three groups. Tumors smaller than 1 cm are classified as stage 1A, those between 1-2 cm are classified as stage 1B, and those between 2-3 cm are classified as stage 1C.
What are the symptoms of early stage lung cancer?
It usually has no symptoms. It occurs during check-ups or scans performed due to another disease. Rarely, even small tumors may cause joint pain or finger clubbing by secreting some substances.
How can we decide if it is an early stage?
The prevalence of the disease by tomography and PET tomography. We get information about. We also find it beneficial to have a brain MRI. Because even very small lung tumors can sometimes spread to the brain. It is not uncommon for tumors under 1 cm to spread to another part of the body.
Are all early stage tumors the same?
They are not the same. Some of them appear hardened.
Some appear as pneumonia. Those with pneumonia progress more slowly.
What can you eat and drink before surgery, how should you prepare?
We recommend daily walks of 3-5 km. It would also be a good idea to reduce your consumption of sweets and carbohydrates (bread, rice, pasta, pastry, buns). Eating a protein-rich diet by eating an egg, some yoghurt, meat/fish or chicken every day accelerates post-operative recovery.
What kind of surgery awaits me?
The surgery performed in early stage lung cancer is to remove the part of the lung containing the tumor (lobectomy). For tumors smaller than 1 cm, removal of the lower part of the lobe (segmentectomy) may be performed. In addition, the basic principle of the surgery is to remove at least 6 lymph nodes. All of these surgeries are performed with a closed method, with a single 3-4 cm incision or two incisions. Open surgery is rarely required.
If the disease is only in the lungs, why are the lymph nodes removed?
Because even if it is seen to be at an early stage by tomography and PET tomography, tumor cells may have spread to the lymph nodes microscopically in 5-10% of patients. In this case, the type of treatment to be applied after surgery may change.
Is chemotherapy required after surgery? How will I be followed?
According to the pathology result, if there is no spread to the lymph nodes and the tumor is smaller than 2 cm, there is no need for chemotherapy. Sometimes, if the cell character is aggressive, chemotherapy may be recommended to patients. But this is also a rare situation. For follow-up, follow-up is required every 3 months for the first two years, every 6 months after two years, and annually after 5 years. Your follow-up is done by your surgeon and oncology doctor.
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