Lung cancer survivor

1.05.2020 00:39:31

Lung cancer and breast cancer survivor, 81 years old Sevil Konuk, had a lung x-ray in the hospital, where she went with a complaint of intense cough due to recurrent obstructive bronchitis. It was understood that Sevil Konuk had stage 3 lung cancer.

What is the Stage 3 lung cancer?

Stage 3 lung cancer is considered locally advanced. This means the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes on the same side of the chest as the primary lung tumor. But it has not traveled to distant areas in the body. Most primary lung cancers don't cause symptoms until the disease has advanced, meaning they have spread. There may be noticeable symptoms, such as a new, persistent, lingering cough, or a change in a smoker’s cough (deeper, more frequent, produces more mucus or blood). Treatment for lung cancer varies, based on the nature of the disease in each individual patient. Treatment for lung cancer is managed by a team of specialists from different departments, who work together to provide the best possible treatment. Ms. Konuk was suggested treatment plan by Medical Oncologist, Professor Mustafa Ozdogan, Head of Medical Oncology Department in Memorial Antalya Hospital.

She was treated with chemotherapy in combination with radiotherapy. Having chemotherapy and radiotherapy together is called chemoradiation. This treatment plan helped her to prolong her life and relieve symptoms.
It’s significant to keep in mind that stage 3 lung cancer is treatable. People have different immune system from each other, human immune systems vary as a consequence of heritable and non-heritable influences and there is no precise way to predict how any individual will respond to treatment. Age and overall health are important factors in how well people respond to lung cancer treatment. So personal treatment plan and multidisciplinary physicians’ team approach increases the success rate of the way of treatment.

After she overcame the challenge of lung cancer and improved quality of life, she had to face with another unpleasant surprise during her routine consultation lasted about two years. Breast cancers were found during her screening exams.

Breast cancer cells usually form a tumor that can often be seen on an x-ray. Finding breast cancer early and getting state of the art cancer treatment are the most important strategies to prevent deaths from breast cancer. Breast cancer that’s found early, when it’s small and has not spread, is easier to treat successfully. After performing Mastectomy with axillary dissection successfully, she gained life quality again. She thanks to Prof Ozdogan and his dedicated team every day because she was given a second chance that changed her life forever.