Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death in the western world.
Exposure to carcinogenic substances in cigarettes constitute the major risk factor for lung cancer. There are, however, other factors.
In his clinical presentation, Dr. Yakir Rutenberg elaborated on the potential of other carcinogens to bring about lung cancer, and presented our recent epidemiological study suggesting a possible correlation between ground cadmium levels and lung cancer in the Haifa area. The study adds critical information as to environmental effects on cancer prevalence in Israel.
Individually tailored therapy is one of our main goals in Oncology.
Dr. Hovav Nechushtan presented the biological basis of this approach and brought the case of a patient who did not react well to the unselected treatment. An in-depth molecular study of the cancer suggested the use of alternative and innovative therapies. The patient was treated with a tailored combination of drugs and responded dramatically to the treatments.
The way to learn about the innovative use of mixed drugs is through clinical trials. This allows for maximum control over the treatment process, basic learning about new drugs, and the option of offering the patient medication not in general use. Our department has participated in a large number of clinical trials. Findings of these trials were presented. A case study of a patient immunized in a clinical trial was presented.
Lung cancer is becoming a chronic disease, due to multiple treatments lines.
Dr Sonnenblick presented the case of a patient diagnosed in 2002 with lung cancer (stage 4). The patient received chemo and radiotherapies, with prolonged treatment breaks. The patient had a good quality of life with few side effects from the illness or the treatment. Interestingly, it seems she responded to an innovative experimental immune treatment involving injection of a genetically modified listeria (a bacteria).
Brain metastasies are very common in lung cancer. Dr. Marc Wygoda explored the innovative treatments of today using Stereostactic Surgery (SRS). This method allows great precision in the local treatment of brain metastasis allowing postponement of Whole Brain Therapy (WBRT) with its possible neuroloic sequela.
Summarizing the conference, Prof. Tamar Peretz, head of the onlcology Department in the in the Moshe Sharett Institute of Oncology, emphasized the importance of the new developments in chemotherapy, biological, immunological and radiotherapy treatments of lung cancer.