Lung cancer is an uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the lungs, often associated with smoking but not exclusively caused by it. In recent years, there has been an increase in the prevalence of lung cancer among people who have never smoked. Common symptoms such as persistent cough, chest pain, and shortness of breath can often be mistaken for other conditions, highlighting early detection’s importance.
Lung cancer develops due to genetic mutations in the DNA of cells in the airways. It is tied to abnormal metabolism and energy synthesis that enable a malignant tumour to originate in the lungs. While cigarette smoking is a significant risk factor, exposure to other harmful environmental factors can also contribute to these mutations. The damaged cells multiply uncontrollably, forming a tumour that can spread throughout the lung and potentially metastasise to other body parts.
While historically understood as primarily affecting smokers, lung cancer rates among nonsmokers, particularly women of Asian descent, have been increasing. This trend highlights the need for broader screening practices beyond traditional high-risk groups, emphasising the importance of early detection strategies for diverse populations.
Lung cancer can be asymptomatic in its early stages, making early detection challenging. As the disease progresses, it may manifest with various symptoms. Common signs include a persistent cough that doesn’t resolve, coughing up blood (hemoptysis), chest pain, shortness of breath (dyspnea), unexplained weight loss and loss of appetite.
The diagnosis of lung cancer typically involves a combination of imaging tests, such as chest X-rays and CT scans, followed by tissue biopsies to determine the type and stage of the cancer. It’s important to note that these symptoms can also indicate other respiratory conditions, so professional medical evaluation is crucial.
In advanced stages, lung cancer may present additional symptoms such as:
It’s important to understand that the presence of these symptoms doesn’t necessarily indicate lung cancer, but it warrants prompt medical attention. Early diagnosis can significantly impact treatment options and outcomes. Suppose you experience any persistent respiratory symptoms or unexplained changes in your health. In that case, it’s advisable to consult with a healthcare professional or a specialised lung clinic for a thorough evaluation and appropriate diagnostic tests.
Treatment options for lung cancer include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted drug therapies, with survival rates varying based on the stage of diagnosis and individual factors.
At Neumark, Dr Harish Mithiran plans and reviews lung cancer consultations. Our private lung and chest surgical centre offers swift-access consultations, ensuring a prompt evaluation for all patients, whether private or referred by other doctors.
Neumark lung cancer specialists in Singapore can access urgent diagnostic investigations — e.g. molecular and genetic markers tests, blood tests, chest x-rays, CT scans, biopsies, and bronchoscopies. Through our affiliation with Gleneagles Hospital, our patients have access to a team of highly qualified cancer doctors, surgeons, and respiratory specialists who treat patients with lung cancer.
Lung cancer can present itself in different stages. For Stages 1 and 2, the gold standard of lung cancer treatment is surgical intervention. Some advanced Stage 3 lung cancers can also be offered surgical resection upon evaluation.
As leaders in the thoracic surgical field, our lung cancer specialists will carefully develop an individual treatment plan for you to achieve the best possible clinical outcomes and involve you in all decisions about your lung cancer care.
Diagnostic teams will perform all the necessary tests to establish a comprehensive diagnosis to recommend the most suitable treatment modality for lung cancer intervention. Our team of experts – from specialist surgeons, oncologists, radiologists, respiratory doctors, and specialist nurses – will involve you at every stage to ensure access to the latest advice and full support throughout your treatment and during after-care.
Surgery as a treatment for lung cancer can be approached via a minimally invasive approach. Neumark surgeons perform:
These leading surgical interventions for lung cancer remove a certain segment (segmentectomy), the entire lobe (lobectomy) or, in large tumours, the entire lung (pneumonectomy), as well as surrounding lymph nodes for further diagnosis.
If lung cancer surgery is determined to be the right option for your condition, you will be in the hands of a highly- specialised lung surgery team that uses minimally invasive techniques to ensure a healthy recovery. For patients who are diagnosed with a condition that makes them unfit for surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and other targeted therapies may be alternatives.
After your lung cancer has been removed, we’ll schedule post-operative consultations to ensure your functional health following lung cancer resection.
Lung cancer can spread at varying rates depending on the type, location, stage, and other factors. Generally speaking, lung cancer tends to spread early. Small cell lung cancer usually grows and spreads faster than non-small cell lung cancer, with around 70% of small cell lung cancers having already spread at the time of diagnosis. Without treatment, most people with small cell lung cancer die within 2-4 months.
The average doubling time for non-small cell lung cancer has been reported at an estimated 400 days, while the doubling time for small cell lung cancer has been reported anywhere from 25 to 240 days. However, these numbers represent the median, and the growth rate can vary widely. It is important to note that these estimates are based on studies and may not accurately reflect the growth rate of every individual’s cancer. Schedule a consultation with our lung cancer specialists today to discuss diagnosis and treatment.
Choosing private lung cancer treatment provides several benefits that can enhance your care and the overall patient experience. Privatised lung cancer care often allows quicker access to specialists, enabling faster diagnosis and initiating treatment sooner.
It also offers the flexibility to select your specialist or hospital, allowing for a more personalised care experience. Moreover, private treatment typically involves a multidisciplinary team collaborating to create a personalised treatment plan, emphasising your involvement in decision-making. This approach ensures you have input on the tests and therapies used, making you an active participant in your care.
There are several types of treatment for lung cancer, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. The specific treatment plan will depend on the type and stage of cancer and each patient’s overall health. In general, the goal of lung cancer treatment is to remove the cancerous cells or to ‘starve’ them with medication, radiation, or other modalities. Some people with lung cancer may require multimodal therapy to achieve the best possible outcome.
Robotic-assisted thoracic surgery (RATS) can offer several potential benefits compared to the traditional surgical treatment of lung cancer, such as a small incision, improved precision, and enhanced visualisation of the surgical site. These advantages may result in less blood loss, fewer complications, and a faster recovery for the patient.
Uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery, also known as U-VATS, is a type of minimally invasive lung cancer procedure that is used to treat conditions affecting the chest, such as lung cancer and other lung diseases. U-VATS has several potential advantages over traditional open surgery, including a shorter hospital stay, faster recovery time, less pain, and a smaller incision.
Most health insurance plans will cover the costs of lung cancer treatment by Neumark lung cancer surgeons, including RATS and U-VATS procedures. However, the specific coverage will vary depending on your integrated Shield Plan with riders for private medical coverage or Corporate Insurance Plan, as well as the specific treatments you need. Check with your insurance provider to find out exactly what is covered under your plan, or contact our clinic to discuss how we work with insurance providers to help process your medical claim.
DISCLAIMER: The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The use of this website does not create a doctor-patient relationship and no medical advice should be inferred or assumed. It is the user’s sole responsibility to seek the advice of their healthcare professionals for any medical concerns they may have and the user should not disregard, or delay, prompt medical advice for any such condition.
Neumark Lung and Chest Surgery Centre benefits from the expertise of a multidisciplinary team led by Dr Harish Mithiran, senior consulting thoracic surgeon at Gleneagles Hospital and Mt Alvernia Hospital.
Neumark is a lung and chest specialist centre with access to leading treatment modalities to achieve the best possible outcomes for lung disease and preventative patient screening.
Our foremost priority is to treat your condition as effectively as possible. Schedule a private consultation today; complete the form below, call, +65 6908 2145; WhatsApp, +65 9726 2485; or email, info@neumarksurgery.com.
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Main Surgery Centre
6 Napier Rd
#02-09 Gleneagles Medical Centre
Singapore 258499
820 Thomson Road
#06-07 Mount Alvernia Hospital Medical Centre A
Singapore 574623
Neumark Lung & Chest Surgery Centre benefits from the expertise of a multidisciplinary surgical team led by Dr Harish Mithiran, a senior consulting thoracic surgeon at Gleneagles Hospital.
With access to leading minimally-invasive treatment modalities for lung disease and chest conditions, our specialists in Singapore work to achieve the best possible outcomes for lung disease. Our foremost priority is to treat your condition as effectively as possible with world-class care.
6 Napier Road
#02-09 Gleneagles Medical Centre
Singapore 258499
820 Thomson Road
#06-07 Medical Centre A
Singapore 574623
© 2024 Neumark Lung & Chest Surgery Centre Pte. Ltd. | UEN 202136971R
Gleneagles Medical Centre
6 Napier Road
#02-09 Gleneagles Medical Centre
Singapore 258499
Mount Alvernia Hospital
820 Thomson Road
#06-07 Medical Centre A
Singapore 574623
