The rapid development of medicine, especially oncology, the development and implementation of innovative therapeutic methods and drugs into clinical practice have led to remarkable successes in the treatment of lung sarcoma. Until recently, this disease was among the most aggressive malignant pathologies, and its detection was associated with an extremely unfavorable prognosis. Treatment of lung sarcoma in Israel using organ-preserving surgeries, modern radiation technologies, and the latest low-toxicity chemotherapy drugs allows for normalization of the patient's condition in more than 85% of cases, alleviating painful symptoms and achieving stable remission.
Early detection of the tumor and comprehensive therapy at the early stage of the disease are of great importance. This requires a comprehensive examination of the patient, conducted on modern equipment in Israeli medical centers in just a few days. During diagnostic procedures, the localization of the neoplasm and its characteristics, which influence the selection of effective therapy methods, are accurately determined. Patients who have undergone treatment leave reviews that serve as convincing evidence of the high quality of therapy, comfortable conditions for its implementation, and the attentiveness and friendliness of the medical staff. The reasonable cost, accessible to most foreign patients, is also emphasized.
Treatment Methods for the Disease
Lung sarcoma is a rare malignant tumor that develops from connective tissue elements of the bronchial walls and interalveolar septa. The disease is characterized by extreme aggressiveness, rapid growth, and early development of metastasis. Lung sarcoma is most commonly diagnosed in men aged 20 to 40, but it can develop in patients of any gender and age group. This oncological disease is particularly aggressive in childhood.
Various causes of the disease are identified, primarily exposure to ionizing and ultraviolet radiation, chemical carcinogens (asbestos, aniline dyes, and others). Smokers, residents of industrial cities with polluted air, and those who enjoy sunbathing or visiting tanning salons are also at risk. Genetic predisposition plays a role as well.
Lung sarcoma can be either primary, originating from the tissues of the organ itself, or secondary, or metastatic, which is much more common and develops as a result of the spread of malignant cells from a primary tumor site located in the reproductive organs, bones, or muscles.
The symptoms of lung sarcoma are generally similar to those of lung cancer but develop at an accelerated pace. Patients experience cough, hemoptysis, shortness of breath, chest pain, weakness, loss of appetite, and weight loss. When the malignant process spreads to neighboring organs, dysphagia, hemorrhagic pleuritis or pericarditis, and superior vena cava syndrome develop. In some patients, symptoms of lung involvement are overshadowed by pulmonary osteoarthropathy, manifested by joint pain and deformation of the nail phalanges of the fingers.
The therapeutic scheme includes surgical removal of the tumor, chemotherapy, radiation, and courses of targeted therapy.
Surgical Treatment
If the patient is operable, surgical removal of the tumor is necessarily included in the treatment plan. The following types of surgeries are used:
- lobectomy — removal of the affected lobe of the lung, indicated in cases of small tumor size, performed using thoracoscopy — an endoscopic procedure requiring a small incision through which a thoracoscope is introduced into the pleural cavity;
- pulmonectomy — removal of the entire lung, indicated for large tumor size and advanced stage of development, with the spread of the malignant process, performed either endoscopically or openly, requiring chest cavity opening;
- palliative surgeries — surgical interventions performed to alleviate painful symptoms in patients at the terminal stage when complete surgical removal of the tumor focus is impossible (pleurocentesis, tracheostomy, palliative resection of the tumor).
Removal of the affected lobe or the entire lung is performed in conjunction with the removal of regional lymph nodes.
Stereotactic Radiosurgery
If there are reasons that make surgical operation impossible, a radiosurgical procedure performed on a CyberKnife robotic system serves as a full alternative. Multiple low-power radioactive beams are directed at the tumor focus, the localization of which is precisely calculated before the procedure. When focused on the neoplasm, their doses are summed and reach a level sufficient to destroy pathological tissues. Patient safety is ensured by the insufficient dose of individual beams to damage normal tissues. The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis, without anesthesia.
Radiotherapy
To reduce the size of the tumor to operable dimensions before surgical intervention, standard external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) is performed. In cases of inoperability, as well as for palliative treatment, radiotherapy using SBRT technology is prescribed, which allows for positive results in more than 90% of cases with tumor sizes up to 6 centimeters and a number of tumor foci not exceeding five. The advantages of this method include maximum precision in targeting the entire surface of the neoplasm and automatic correction of beam direction with minimal changes in the patient's body position.
In Israeli clinics, radiotherapy is increasingly performed using SIRT technology, where radioisotopes are injected into the pulmonary blood vessels associated with the tumor.
Chemotherapy
Sarcomas exhibit significant resistance to chemotherapy agents; however, as practice shows, including chemotherapy courses in the treatment program significantly increases its effectiveness. Chemotherapy is usually prescribed in conjunction with radiation to reduce the size of the tumor before surgical removal. Additionally, chemotherapy is indicated in cases of inoperability and after surgical removal of the tumor to prevent recurrence.
Targeted Therapy
Targeted drugs have proven to be effective in sarcoma therapy. The feature of these agents is their targeted action exclusively on pathological cells without damaging normal ones. Targeted drugs that belong to the group of inhibitors of tumor angiogenesis (formation of blood vessel networks) are used for the treatment of lung sarcoma.
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Modern Diagnostic Methods for the Disease
A comprehensive examination of the patient and the development of a therapy scheme are usually performed in Israel within three days.
During the initial consultation with the leading pulmonologist, which takes place on the first day of the patient's stay in the clinic, the doctor conducts a superficial examination and clarifies the nature and severity of the symptoms. The consultation concludes with the appointment of necessary examinations.
The execution of the prescribed diagnostic procedures:
- laboratory blood tests;
- ultrasound examination (US) of the lungs, abdominal organs, and pelvic cavity;
- imaging studies (X-ray, CT, MRI, PET-CT);
- endoscopic studies (bronchoscopy, thoracoscopy);
- biopsy with subsequent histological analysis of the obtained material;
- angiography;
- bone scintigraphy.
The results of the studies are reviewed by a medical council, which includes a pulmonologist, oncologist, and specialized experts. After analyzing the indicators, the doctors collectively establish a diagnosis and develop a therapy scheme.
How Much Does Treatment Cost
The cost of the therapeutic course is of constant interest to foreign patients. Treatment in Israeli clinics costs about 30% less than in Western European medical centers and provides savings of about 50% compared to the amount required in the USA.
Advantages of Treatment in Israel
- High qualifications and extensive experience of doctors.
- Equipping clinics with modern medical and diagnostic equipment.
- Mastery of progressive treatment methods.
- Comfortable conditions.
- Affordable prices.
The prognosis of the disease significantly improves with adequate therapy at early stages. Don't waste time, contact the Israeli clinic, and trust your treatment to the leading oncologists in the world.