Abstract

In 2017, 827 new cases of lung and 7 thymic, cardiac, mediastinal or pleural malignancies were diagnosed in Estonia. Lung cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed solid tumour and the leading cause of cancer related deaths. Of the lung cancer cases diagnosed in Estonia, 60 – 65% are treated at the North Estonia Medical Centre (NEMC). Since 2015, all cases discussed by the thoracic tumour board are registered in the NEMC thoracic tumours’ registry with the aim to collect more detailed clinical data about both the diagnosis and treatment. Data analysis for 2015-2019 showed an improvement in patients’ management. Around 70% of cases are still diagnosed as locally advanced (stage III) or with distant metastases (stage IV). There have been several advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of thoracic tumours, from the lung nodules’ marking and assessment of predictive markers to the introduction of uniport thoracoscopy, stereotactic radiotherapy and immunotherapy. Oncology is the fastest developing field of medicine, with many novel and exciting advances expected to emerge in the following years.