Lung Cancer Treatment Options in Israel
Cancer of the lungs is extremely prevalent in both Israel and the United States. In fact, lung cancer is the type of cancer most likely to lead to death in men and the third most likely type in women. Lung cancer is responsible for about 30% of all cancer deaths among Americans.
Lung cancer is classified into two major types based on pathological examination, small cell and non-small cell. Non-small cell lung cancer is more common by far, making up around 85 to 90% of all cases. Small cell lung cancer represents only about 10-15% of lung cancer diagnoses. At Sheba, we offer cutting-edge lung cancer treatment options.
Risk Factors
Tobacco use, usually in the form of cigarette smoking, is the absolute largest risk factor for lung cancer. The patient has a history of smoking in 75 to 90% of all lung cancer cases. While the amount of cigarette consumption and length of smoking history affects the precise chance of developing lung cancer, all smokers are at risk. Quitting smoking decreases the odds of getting lung cancer, although the risk for former smokers will never be as low as that of lifelong nonsmokers.
Unfortunately, second hand smoke, also known as secondary smoking, is also a risk factor for lung cancer. Individuals who are frequently exposed to tobacco smoke, even if they abstain from smoking themselves, have their risk of lung cancer increased beyond that of nonsmokers.
Additional lung cancer risk factors include male gender, a family history of lung cancer, having received radiation treatment to the chest area, and exposure to certain toxic substances. These substances include asbestos, arsenic, and diesel fuel fumes.
Types
There are five main lung cancer stages:
Stage 0:
Also called carcinoma in situ. Abnormal cells have been detected in the lung, but there is no spread beyond the local area.
Stage 1:
The tumor is under 3 cm in size and may have infiltrated into the deeper tissues of the lung. There is still no spread to the lymph nodes or other organ tissues.
Stage 2:
The tumor has infiltrated nearby lymph nodes or the chest wall. There is still no spread to distant organs.
Stage 3:
The tumor has infiltrated lymph nodes and possibly nearby organs, such as the trachea or esophagus.
Stage 4:
The cancer is now metastatic throughout the body and has traveled to distant organs, such as the brain or bones.
Symptoms
Some signs and symptoms of stomach lung include:
- Painful or frequent coughing
- Coughing up blood, known as hemoptysis
- Unexplained weight loss
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
Staff
Our staff are all experts in various aspects of oncology and are dedicated not only to continuing cancer education and research but also to excellent patient care. The leadership of the Lung Cancer Department is made up of:
Dr. Amir Onn – Head of Pulmonary Oncology. Dr. Onn specializes in invasive therapy of lung cancer and is the Program Director for the Sheba Medical Cancer Center/MD Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas sister institution partnership. He is also the head of the Lung Cancer Research Laboratory at Sheba Medical Cancer Center. Dr. Onn earned his MD degree from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Lung Cancer Treatment Options
Sheba Medical Cancer Center offers the very latest in lung cancer treatment options, with strict adherence to established standards of care. We are committed to providing our patients with world class medicine with a personal touch by taking an integrative and holistic approach to lung cancer treatment and conducting continuous research.
In early stage cancers that are limited to one or both of the lungs, surgical removal is the usual treatment plan. Once the cancer has been removed, further treatment with chemotherapy is carried out. Sheba Medical Cancer Center utilizes the latest generation of chemotherapy drugs, including biologic agents, to ensure the best possible treatment outcomes. The use of these drugs is dependent on the results of genetic surveys used to determine the susceptibility of the patient’s cancer based on any genetic mutations present. Some of these drugs include Gemcitabine, Taxol, Taxotere, and Navelbine.
Radiation therapy is often employed in the case of cancer that is actively spreading throughout the body. Sheba Medical Cancer Center is proud to have many of the top lung cancer specialists from Israel, and around the world, at our institute. Our patients can be assured that whatever type(s) of therapy is used, our treatment team will always work together, with pathologists, medical oncologists, pulmonologists, surgeons, researchers, and radiation oncologists collaborating to find the most effective treatments options.
Ongoing Research at the Lung Cancer Laboratory at Sheba Medical Cancer Center
The Lung Cancer Laboratory is a reflection of our deep commitment into ongoing research for the treatment and prevention of lung cancer. The laboratory is headed by Dr. Onn, detailed above, and is currently conducting research into biomolecular markers for lung cancer.
Current research projects include investigations into genetic and epigenetic changes in lung cancer in conjunction with Johns Hopkins University in the US and studies on malignant pleural effusions associated with adenocarcinomas of the lung.
Maya Damianovich, MD, PhD, is the manager of the laboratory. Dr. Damianovich completed both her medical degree and PhD in immunology at the University of Belgrade and has published well over two dozen peer-reviewed papers.
