On the occasion of November 1-30 Lung Cancer Awareness Month, Specialist Dr. Nail Özhan, a Medical Oncologist at Özel Egekent Hospital, made statements about lung cancer and non-chemotherapy treatments in lung cancer therapy.
Stating that lung cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide after prostate cancer in men and breast cancer in women, Medical Oncologist Dr. Nail Özhan also pointed out that lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. He explained that lung cancer generally has two main subtypes: small cell and non-small cell lung cancer. Dr. Özhan emphasized, “The most important cause of lung cancer is tobacco and tobacco use. In addition, radiation, occupational exposure to substances such as arsenic, chromium, and nickel, as well as air pollution, are among the causes of lung cancer.”
**Non-Chemotherapy Treatment: Immunotherapy and Targeted Drugs**
Dr. Nail Özhan noted that in previous years, chemotherapy was the only treatment for advanced metastatic lung cancer, and although chemotherapy provided significant benefits and extended survival times, resistance that developed over time limited the effectiveness of the treatment. He also explained that chemotherapy’s side effects negatively impacted patients’ quality of life. Referring to recent developments in this field, Dr. Özhan highlighted that with significant advancements, immunotherapy and targeted therapies such as smart drugs are now available, yielding much more successful results.
He stated that in suitable patients, immunotherapy in particular has achieved long-lasting and even permanent outcomes. In addition, smart pills allow patients to continue their treatment at home without the need for hospital visits.
**Personalized Treatment Increases Oncology Success**
Emphasizing the importance of personalized treatment, Dr. Özhan said, “The most critical issue in lung cancer is to match the right treatment with the right patient. To determine the patient’s eligibility for treatment, molecular genetic analyses must be performed before initiating therapy.”