Lung cancer is one of the most common types of cancer worldwide. Treating this disease, particularly in its advanced stages, requires personalized therapy concepts. The Hallwang Clinic focuses on modern treatment options such as combination therapies.
What is Lung Cancer?
Lung cancer is a malignant tumor originating from the cells of the lungs or bronchi. Tumor cells are characterized by uncontrolled growth, increased cell division, and the promotion of blood vessel formation (angiogenesis). Lung tumors can develop in two ways: either locally, where the tumor begins growing in the lungs and can spread to other body parts and organs (metastasis), or as a lung metastasis, meaning a secondary tumor from another organ.
There are two main histological types of lung cancer: small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). NSCLC is further divided into subtypes, including large-cell lung cancer (LCLC), adenocarcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma.
Classifying tumors based on their histological appearance is crucial for assessing disease progression and treatment planning. Additionally, molecular genetic characteristics of tumor entities play an increasingly important role. Mutations in genes such as EGFR, ALK, ROS1, cMET, HER2, RET, and FGFR1 can be specifically targeted. Modern targeted therapies and immunotherapies significantly improve patient survival rates. Comprehensive diagnostics, including genetic analyses, allow for precise therapy selection and can greatly influence treatment success.
Diagnosing Lung Cancer
Symptoms of lung cancer vary and may include chest pain, coughing, coughing up blood, shortness of breath, weight loss, weakness, or fever. In early stages, lung cancer often goes undetected due to non-specific or absent symptoms.
Initial diagnosis is usually performed through imaging diagnostics. A PET-CT scan (positron emission tomography combined with computerized tomography) provides information on whether and where tumor masses are located in the body and whether the tumor has metastasized to other tissues. If imaging reveals a suspicious mass, a biopsy is performed to determine tumor characteristics. A histopathological analysis then identifies the exact (cellular) type of the tumor. Since various tumors have unique genetic features, identifying these differences is essential.
Many university centers now routinely conduct molecular genetic screening analyses. However, many patients are unaware that if such screening was not performed during biopsy, a retrospective analysis of the tissue sample is still possible. The tissue is preserved in the hospital’s histopathology department after the initial biopsy examination and can be used for further (genetic) tissue analyses and sequencing.
Tumors often exhibit multiple genetic modifications that give cancer cells a selective growth advantage. Advanced high-throughput technologies enable the identification of these mutated genes, which can lead to highly targeted therapies.
A thorough tumor tissue screening is therefore essential to explore all potential treatment options. Modern targeted therapies and immunotherapies are based on individual tumor characteristics and have significantly expanded lung cancer treatment options.
For optimal therapy, it is important to choose a specialized laboratory for genetic analysis and work with an oncologist who can integrate the results into a tailored treatment plan.
Lung Cancer Treatment: What is the Best Therapy?
Some lung tumors can be surgically removed if deemed operable. In other cases, oncologists may recommend chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy before or after surgery. However, since these treatments involve significant cytotoxic side effects, another option has emerged in treating lung cancer: immunotherapy.
Immunotherapy for Lung Cancer
Immunotherapy is a groundbreaking advancement in cancer treatment, as it activates the body’s immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells. Two complementary approaches are employed:
- Active Immunization: This approach trains the patient’s immune system to recognize and attack tumor cells, leading to cell destruction or slowed tumor growth.
- Passive Immunization: Antibodies or antibody fragments are administered via infusion or injection to specifically target and destroy cancer cells.
The range of immunotherapeutic approaches is extensive, including antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), checkpoint-blocking antibodies (anti-CTLA-4 or anti-PD-1/PD-L1), as well as monoclonal, polyclonal, and trifunctional antibodies.
Lung Cancer: Additional Therapies
In addition to immunotherapy, lung cancer treatment includes long-established genetically targeted therapies against EGFR mutations (epidermal growth factor receptor) and molecularly targeted therapies against cMET, ALK, ROS1, RET, HER2, and FGFR1.
Combination therapies are increasingly being used in lung cancer treatment, requiring a high level of expertise and years of experience in precision medicine. As a highly specialized oncology private clinic, we stand by your side as a trusted partner.
Umbrella Concept
An umbrella concept considers all aspects of a patient’s medical history, additional diagnoses, overall well-being, available diagnostic conditions, and ongoing treatments. It does not rely solely on one therapy option but instead evaluates a precision-based combination of therapies tailored to each individual case.
Lung Cancer: Advanced Treatment at the Hallwang Clinic
The Hallwang Clinic has developed one of the most advanced genomic and immunotherapeutic profiles worldwide. Thanks to our top-tier expert network, close research collaborations, and unrestricted access to the latest therapies, we have a significant advantage in providing personalized cancer treatments. Our highly specialized oncology team focuses on:
- State-of-the-art precision medicine
- Comprehensive genetic analysis for targeted therapy
- Combination therapies for improved treatment outcomes
- Holistic and integrative oncology care
This enables us to achieve outstanding results and improve survival rates—even for patients with stage 4 cancer.
Patients from around the world choose the Hallwang Clinic for the best lung cancer treatment. In addition to our advanced therapeutic concepts, excellent medical care, and an international focus, the compassionate and supportive environment also plays a key role in promoting the best possible treatment.
Get a Consultation
Our oncology team is happy to provide a phone consultation to gain a deeper understanding of your specific case. This allows us to offer a preliminary treatment plan and cost estimate. Our oncologists will provide detailed information about medications, therapies, and treatments, including underlying mechanisms and potential side effects.
After a physical examination and an in-depth discussion with you on-site, the final treatment plan will be determined. Please understand that complex medical processes, as mentioned above, can only be fully explained through a comprehensive in-person consultation.