Lung cancer is responsible for more deaths worldwide than any other cancer. In fact, its mortality exceeds the number of deaths from pancreatic cancer, prostate, colon and breast cancer combined. In Spain, more than 23,000 people are diagnosed with lung cancer every year. Of these, the survival rate five years after diagnosis is just 15%. This survival rate has remained stable in recent decades as 75% of patients already have advanced disease at the time of diagnosis, which precludes the principal curative treatment: surgery. Recently, however, it has been shown that low-dose CT screening for lung cancer facilitates the diagnosis of lung tumours at very early stages and surgical treatment, and reduces 10-year mortality by 26% in men and 61% in women.
Dr. Laureano Molins
Our team of professionals has extensive experience in the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of lung cancer.
Some of the leading clinical studies on the early diagnosis of lung cancer have relied on our experts and/or have been led from the Hospital Clínic de Barcelona.
For the early detection of lung cancer, we use the latest technology available within the Hospital Clínic de Barcelona Group. Diagnostic imaging tests are quick and painless, and offer the greatest precision in the shortest time.
The team responsible for lung cancer screening is made up of professionals from different disciplines who work together to offer a better service. Specialists in pulmonology, thoracic surgery, medical oncology, radiology and nuclear medicine are at your service to offer the best possible diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer.
Should any abnormality be found in the lung cancer detection tests, the treatment would be implemented immediately. At barnaclínic+, we have well-defined protocols for each type of tumour. A multidisciplinary treatment plan that combines surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy, depending on the case. In addition, our team includes experts in smoking cessation to help smokers to kick their habit. Finally, it should be noted that our surgical team has the best results in terms of long-term survival and post-surgical complication rates.
The type of person who should consider early screening for lung cancer is:
· Smoker over 40 years old
· Smoker or former smoker who has stopped smoking in the last 15 years
· Anyone diagnosed with emphysema and/or abnormal lung function
Dr. Àlvar Agustí
The early diagnosis of lung cancer, which is valid for 2-3 years, consists of a series of tests to detect any malignant nodules in the lungs early. The diagnostic process begins with a visit to the pulmonologist, followed by a series of tests for respiratory function and a low-intensity chest CT scan.
In the low-dose CT, up to 40% of smokers present with benign nodules. In light of this, a follow-up visit will be scheduled at 3/6 months, where another CT scan may be performed. After 2 years, a new visit and a control CT scan will be scheduled.
In the case of active smokers, the same process will be followed and the smoking cessation programme will start immediately. If, at some point in the process, lung cancer is detected, the most appropriate oncological treatment will be implemented (surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy).
The main test for respiratory function in the early diagnosis of lung cancer is spirometry. This test allows respiratory system disorders to be detected. Depending on the patient, a plethysmography, a lung diffusion test, a walk test or a stress test may also be required.
A Chest CT scan is a type of imaging test that generates multiple cross-sectional images of the chest using X-rays. A low-dose CT scan offers high-resolution images and, therefore, greater precision in diagnosing nodules in the lung, using 90% less radiation than a conventional chest CT scan.
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