Health Prevention in Thoracic Diseases: A Key to Improved Quality of Life!
Following surgical treatment, at least one follow-up check is usually performed by the surgeon. The duration of follow-up care depends on the patient’s preference (travel distance) as well as the illness/consequences of the accident and the surgery.
Long-term follow-up care is provided after a serious illness of the respiratory tract and lungs. This takes place in close coordination between the clinic, the patient’s specialists, and the general practitioner’s office. This follow-up care helps the affected person to continue recovering, reduces the risk of relapse, and ensures that any relapse is detected and treated in a timely manner. Long-term follow-up care can extend over several years, with examination appointments initially being very frequent. Gradually, the intervals between examinations become longer. Depending on requirements, long-term follow-up care includes:
- Diagnostics regarding the general physical condition of the patient
- Diagnostics to monitor the success of the therapy/investigation of a relapse
- Breathing exercises
- Participation in self-help groups
- Psychological support
Follow-up care for tumor patients, who in the case of thoracic surgery have usually undergone an operation, proves to be particularly extensive. Tumor follow-up care takes place according to a detailed and predetermined plan. Normally, check-ups including thoracic computed tomography scans are performed at shorter intervals in the first year after surgery, and annually thereafter, to rule out the recurrence of the same tumor or the development of a new one.
After operations for tumors, the vast majority of which are performed with curative intent, it is particularly important that recurring tumor foci are detected early and, if necessary, can again be treated curatively. Within the Lung Cancer Center, tumor follow-up care for all cases that were not operated on is likewise carried out by the other specialists involved (oncologist and radiation oncologist) according to a clearly defined plan. This ensures that even in these cases, changes in the course of the tumor can be detected early, discussed at the tumor board, and any therapies can be adapted or adjusted. This ensures that those affected always receive the best treatment and care.
As part of the Lung Cancer Center, we are obliged to record all tumor follow-up information in detail electronically, and to discuss and evaluate it during conferences.
The data collected is reviewed annually by independent specialists and checked for accuracy.
This ensures that we can always offer the best and most current therapy and care available.
