Southwest Florida's Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles
By Todd A. Pezzi, M.D., M.B.A.
Each case of lung cancer is different and often presents in advanced stages. This can make lung cancer challenging to diagnose and treat, which is why it is important to know if you should be screened.
Yearly lung cancer screenings are recommended for individuals who meet all three criteria: 1) Between 50 and 80 years of age; 2) Currently smoking or having smoked within the past 15 years; and 3) Having a 20-pack-year or more smoking history. A pack-year is defined as smoking an average of one pack of cigarettes per day for one year. So, for example, if you smoke 2 packs a day for at least 10 years, you have a 20-pack-year history. Lung cancer screening is conducted by a low-dose computed tomography scan of the chest, also known as a CT scan.
If you are diagnosed with lung cancer, there are treatment options available. Your physicians will work with you to customize a treatment plan based on your type and stage of cancer, goals of treatment, and general health. Treatment plans can include a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and immunotherapy.
At Advocate Radiation Oncology, we specialize in providing world-class radiation therapy to cancer patients in Southwest Florida. Radiation therapy is used in many ways to treat lung cancer. It can cure early-stage lung cancers as a single modality treatment. Radiation therapy can also shrink a tumor before surgery or kill any remaining cancer cells in the lungs after surgery. It can also relieve some symptoms of lung cancer, such as pain, bleeding, or blockage of the airways. As part of a palliative care plan, radiation therapy can help improve the quality of life for patients with cancer in more advanced stages.
Radiation therapy is generally delivered daily and is most successful when it is not disrupted. As with many cancer treatments, it can impact your daily life. And it can also be challenging when a community undergoes a natural disaster, such as we have experienced with Hurricane Ian. We are very fortunate and grateful that we were able to meet the immediate needs of our patients, as well as patients from other providers, in the aftermath of the storm. Advocate Radiation Oncology is committed to putting cancer patients first and is proud to serve Southwest Florida.
Dr. Todd Pezzi is a physician at Advocate
Radiation Oncology. Advocate Radiation
Oncology’s board-certified oncologists provide expert, customized patient care. With locations across Southwest Florida, patients have access to state-of-the-art cancer-fighting machines. Our individualized cancer treatment plans are guided by the most up-to-date data, appropriate evidence-based care, and the latest
technologies available.
Naples Office
1775 Davis Boulevard
239.372.2838
advocatero.com
Cape Coral
909 Del Prado Blvd. S
Cape Coral, FL 33990
(239) 217-8070
Bonita Springs
25243 Elementary Way
Bonita Springs, FL 34135
(239) 317-2772
Fort Myers
15681 New Hampshire Ct.
Fort Myers, FL 33908
(239) 437-1977
Port Charlotte
3080 Harbor Blvd.
Port Charlotte, FL 33952
(941) 883-2199
Naples
1775 Davis Blvd.
Naples, FL 34102
(239) 372-2838
