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Lung metastases: treatment options
Surgery may be used to also treat lung metastasis. Single or multiple tumor nodes can also be removed using a minimal invasive approach. In addition, a chemotherapeutical approach can help to shrink liver metastases.
Also, in lung cancer the location of the primary tumor as well as the overall health status are crucial factors to analyze the patients' individual risk-benefit ratio. The development of treatment plans relies on a distinct preoperative diagnostic work-up, following a multidisciplinary approach (that means that specialists of different fields work closely together) in our Charité Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Click here to find the range of therapy options of the European Surgical Centre for Metastatic Disease.
Diagnose lung metastases
Signs and symptoms of lung metastases (such as cough that deteriorates over time, coughing up of blood-stained phlegm, shortness of breath) can also relate to other health conditions. Thus any unusual symptom should first be checked by your general practitioner. To diagnose lung metastases a radiologic examination (CT-scan) and frequently a biopsy of the tumor is necessary. A biopsy can be obtained using
- an interventional approach (a needle is inserted between your ribs and under CT control is guided to the right spot to draw cells,
- by means of bronchoscopy. That allows us to look inside the trachea and take samples from the inside of the lung,
- by means of a minimal invasive surgical approach via the chest wall.