Best Lung Cancer Hospital in Ahmedabad
Multidisciplinary Diagnosis and Treatment at EPIC
Lung cancer is the most common cancer-related cause of death worldwide – and one of the most clinically challenging cancers to manage, because the majority of patients present at an advanced stage when the cancer has already spread beyond the primary lung site. The window for curative treatment is narrow, and making the right decisions quickly – the right biopsy technique, the right staging investigation, the right first treatment – requires a team, not a single specialist.
At EPIC Multispecialty Hospital, we provide the essential foundation for every lung cancer management pathway: precise diagnosis and accurate staging. Our lung cancer programme in Ahmedabad brings together the pulmonologist, thoracic surgeon, medical oncologist, radiation oncologist, and radiologist in a formal multidisciplinary team (MDT) – because no single specialist, operating in isolation, makes these decisions as well as a team does.
Lung Cancer – Types, Risk Factors, and Symptoms
Types of Lung Cancer
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) accounts for approximately 85% of all lung cancers. It includes adenocarcinoma (the most common subtype, predominating in non-smokers and women), squamous cell carcinoma (strongly associated with smoking), and large cell carcinoma. Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) accounts for 15% and is almost exclusively associated with heavy smoking – it grows rapidly and is typically metastatic at diagnosis.
Risk Factors for Lung Cancer in Ahmedabad
- Tobacco smoking: by far the dominant risk factor – accounting for 85% of cases. The risk is proportional to pack-year history (packs per day × years smoked)
- Air pollution (PM2.5 exposure): Ahmedabad’s industrial and vehicular pollution creates meaningful lung cancer risk in non-smokers – explaining why lung cancer in non-smoking women is more common in urban India than in many Western populations
- Radon gas exposure: the second largest cause of lung cancer in the US and Europe – a natural radioactive gas from soil that accumulates in poorly ventilated buildings
- Occupational exposures: asbestos, arsenic, chromium, silica – relevant in Gujarat’s industrial workforce
- Previous lung disease: TB-damaged lung, COPD, and pulmonary fibrosis are all independent risk factors for lung cancer development
Symptoms That Warrant Urgent Assessment
Many patients with early lung cancer are asymptomatic – the tumour is detected incidentally on imaging done for another reason. When symptoms do occur: persistent cough (especially if new or changed), haemoptysis, breathlessness, chest or shoulder pain, hoarseness, unexplained weight loss, or recurrent chest infections at the same site. Any of these in a patient over 40 with risk factors warrants urgent assessment at EPIC Hospital.
Lung Cancer Diagnosis at EPIC Hospital, Ahmedabad
Tissue Diagnosis – Getting the Biopsy Right
Tissue diagnosis is the foundation of all lung cancer treatment. Without a histological diagnosis – adenocarcinoma vs. squamous cell vs. SCLC, with molecular profiling for EGFR, ALK, ROS1, KRAS, PD-L1 – the correct first-line treatment cannot be chosen. Our pulmonology team obtains tissue using the least invasive method appropriate for the tumour’s location:
- Flexible bronchoscopy with endobronchial biopsy: for centrally located tumours visible within the airways
- EBUS-TBNA: for mediastinal lymph node disease – the most common site of spread requiring tissue confirmation before treatment
- CT-guided transthoracic biopsy: for peripheral tumours not accessible by bronchoscopy or EBUS
- Liquid biopsy (circulating tumour DNA): emerging technology for molecular profiling when tissue is insufficient
Staging Investigation
Accurate staging determines treatment intent – curative or palliative. Standard staging at EPIC Hospital includes contrast-enhanced CT chest and upper abdomen, PET-CT scan (whole body) for systemic staging, brain MRI for brain metastasis assessment in NSCLC, and EBUS for mediastinal staging. Staging follows the TNM (Tumour-Node-Metastasis) 8th edition classification.
Know Your Signs
Persistent or Worsening Cough
Shortness of Breath (Dyspnea)
Wheezing or Noisy Breathing
Loud Snoring or Sleep Apnea
Chest Pain or Discomfort
Frequent Lung Infections
Emergency Services
Our dedicated emergency team is available 24/7 to provide immediate medical care and support in critical situations.
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Find Best Pulmonology Hospital in Ahmedabad
Therapeutic Bronchoscope (Olympus) for airway stenting, tumor debulking, foreign body removal
Endobronchial Ultrasound (Linear EBUS) (Olympus) for mediastinal pathology assessment.
Bronchoscopic Cryotherapy (ERBE Cryo 2) for airway tumors & lung cryobiopsy
IPC (Indwelling pleural catheter) Insertion
Flexi-rigid thoracoscope (Olympus) for Pleuroscopy
Single-Use flexible bronchoscopes (Pentax) for routine diagnostics like lavage & bronchial biopsy
Our Team of Expert Pulmonologist
Talks By Our Expert Pulmonology Doctors
Treatment for Pulmonary Issues – Dr. Jaykumar Mehta
Treatment of Pulmonary Issues – Dr. Jaykumar Mehta
EBUS Procedure by Dr. Jaykumar Mehta
Our Patient Testimonial Pulmonology
EBUS Procedure by Dr. Jaykumar Mehta
Treatment of Pulmonary Issues – Dr. Jaykumar Mehta
Treatment for Pulmonary Issues – Dr. Jaykumar Mehta
Blogs By Our Expert Pulmonology
Best Lung Cancer Hospital in Ahmedabad - Frequently Asked Questions
Is lung cancer curable if caught early?
Stage I non-small cell lung cancer – confined to the lung without lymph node involvement – has 5-year survival rates of 70 to 90% with surgical resection. This underscores the critical importance of early detection. The tragedy of lung cancer in India is that the majority of patients present at Stage III or IV – when curative intent is no longer possible. Any new respiratory symptom in a patient with risk factors should be investigated promptly rather than empirically treated.
What is molecular testing (genomic profiling) for lung cancer?
Molecular testing of lung cancer tissue identifies specific driver mutations and gene alterations – EGFR mutation, ALK rearrangement, ROS1 fusion, KRAS mutation, PD-L1 expression. These determine which targeted therapies (TKIs) or immunotherapies (checkpoint inhibitors) are most likely to be effective – transforming outcomes for patients with actionable mutations compared to standard chemotherapy.
What is PD-L1 and why is it tested in lung cancer?
PD-L1 (Programmed Death Ligand 1) is a protein expressed on tumour cells that suppresses the immune system’s ability to destroy them. Checkpoint inhibitors – pembrolizumab, atezolizumab, nivolumab – block this suppression and allow the immune system to attack the tumour. PD-L1 expression level (TPS score) determines eligibility for first-line immunotherapy without chemotherapy in high-expressors.
Is there a screening programme for lung cancer in Ahmedabad?
Formal population-based lung cancer screening with low-dose CT (LDCT) is recommended in high-risk individuals – smokers or ex-smokers aged 55 to 80 with a 30+ pack-year history – based on the NLST and NELSON trials. A national screening programme does not yet exist in India, but individual high-risk patients can discuss LDCT surveillance with our lung cancer team in Ahmedabad.
What support is available for lung cancer patients and families at EPIC Hospital?
Our lung cancer programme at EPIC Hospital includes not just diagnosis and treatment coordination, but also palliative care consultation for symptom management, nutritional support, physiotherapy, and signposting to relevant support organisations. A diagnosis of lung cancer affects the whole family – our team treats the patient, not just the tumour.
What are the treatment options for stage IV lung cancer?
Stage IV NSCLC is not surgically resectable. Treatment options include targeted therapy (TKIs) for EGFR/ALK/ROS1-positive disease – with response rates over 60% and substantially extended survival – immunotherapy for high PD-L1 expressors, chemotherapy-immunotherapy combinations, and palliative radiotherapy for symptomatic bone or brain metastases. Treatment planning is made by the MDT at EPIC Hospital.
What related lung services are available at EPIC Hospital?
Our complete respiratory programme includes bronchoscopy treatment in Ahmedabad, EBUS treatment in Ahmedabad, pleural effusion treatment in Ahmedabad, pulmonary infection treatment in Ahmedabad, and the best pulmonology hospital in Ahmedabad Gujarat.
Does EPIC Hospital provide second opinions for lung cancer cases?
Yes. Second opinions for lung cancer – including review of histological diagnosis, molecular profiling, staging, and treatment planning – are actively welcomed. Our multidisciplinary team will review your previous reports and provide a clear, independent assessment. Patients should bring all previous imaging (on CD), histology reports, and treatment records.