Retirement should be the beginning of a new chapter in life. However, for Ms. Yu, a retired teacher, this period of supposed leisure has been overshadowed by illness.
It was not until she met Professor Yang Nong, a renowned diagnostic and treatment expert in the field of lung cancer in China, at Hainan Cancer Hospital, that a warm and personal consultation cleared the fog on her path to recovery.
Panic: From recurrent sarcoma to sudden lung cancer attack
Ms. Yu, 57 years old, is a "warrior" who has fought against illness multiple times. In 2019, she was diagnosed with undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma in her arm and underwent surgery immediately. In 2020 and 2022, the sarcoma recurred twice, and she went to the operating table again on two occasions. After the surgery in 2022, she also completed 30 rounds of radiotherapy. With each treatment, she gritted her teeth and persevered. She thought that after the storm, a rainbow would finally appear, but unexpectedly, a new crisis quietly struck.
In June this year, Ms. Yu accidentally fell at home. Chest CT scan revealed a space-occupying lesion in the left upper lobe, suggesting lung cancer. The PET-CT scan in July confirmed the worst suspicion - a solitary nodule in the upper lobe of one lung was considered as a malignant tumor lesion. At the end of July, Ms. Yu underwent thoracoscopic lobectomy and lymph node dissection. Postoperative pathology diagnosed it as invasive adenocarcinoma, and metastatic cancer was found in the lymph nodes examined.
Not long after her retirement, Ms. Yu was diagnosed with lung cancer, leaving her in an unprecedented state of confusion and panic.
Disabuse: I have a clear mind now, so I'm not flustered
In August this year, Ms. Yu's postoperative follow-up results showed no recurrence or metastasis, which should have been joyful news. However, faced with an uncertain follow-up treatment plan, she remained uneasy. Upon hearing from her fellow patients about Professor Yang Nong, who was described as both skilled and medically ethical, she felt as if she had grasped a lifeline. She hurriedly made an appointment with the expert, placing all her anxiety and anticipation on this diagnosis and treatment.
During the in-person consultation, Professor Yang Nong patiently listened to Ms. Yu's description of her condition and carefully reviewed the piles of records from her sarcoma treatment to lung cancer diagnosis and treatment. Instead of rushing to discuss treatment options, he first calmed Ms. Yu down, saying, "Ms. Yu, please relax. There's really no need to be so nervous about your condition. Emotions can greatly affect your body's recovery, but we have ways to treat it." His gentle yet firm words were like a warm current, instantly easing Ms. Yu's tense nerves.
Based on Ms. Yu's lung cancer staging and typing, Professor Yang Nong provided clear treatment recommendations: to use targeted drug therapy for at least three years. For postoperative monitoring, he also suggested sending her past sarcoma tissue, current lung cancer tissue, and blood for MRD (minimal residual disease) monitoring. "This 'combination approach' can help us predict the risk of recurrence and metastasis earlier, just like installing an early warning radar. Once there are signs, we can intervene in time and stay ahead of the disease."
After listening to Professor Yang Nong's explanation, Ms. Yu's uneasiness completely dissipated, and she felt more reassured and confident: "He not only helped me plan the current treatment path, but also formulated a long-term 'battle plan'. Now I have a clear mind, and I don't have to wait passively and fearfully like before. I also have more confidence in the treatment!"
Expert Introduction / Visit Information
[Expert Introduction]
Yang Nong
Chief Physician, Doctoral Supervisor
Long-term employed experts of Hainan Cancer Hospital and Hainan Chengmei Hospital
He currently serves as Vice President of the Second People's Hospital of Hunan Province, head of the oncology department, and director of the "Yang Nong Famous Doctor Clinic" / "Yang Nong Famous Doctor Expert Team Clinic". He is also a chief expert of the National Major Scientific and Technological Special Project, a member of the Lung Cancer Special Committee of the National Tumor Quality Control Center, the director of the Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Lung Cancer, and the director of the Hunan Provincial Respiratory Tumor Clinical Medical Research Center. He has been dedicated to precision targeted therapy for lung cancer and gastrointestinal tumors, as well as to clinical, scientific research, and teaching work related to difficult, recurrent, and drug-resistant cases for nearly 30 years.
He has been honored with the title of "National Famous Doctor - Excellent Style" in the 6th edition, and has been recommended by patients across the country as "Annual Good Doctor" for 8 consecutive years, as well as being awarded the title of "First Brain Doctor - Famous Doctor". He has authored national guidelines, boasts over 500,000 followers across the internet, and has achieved over 120 million views on his anti-cancer science popularization videos.
Medical expertise
Specialties: Precision treatment of lung cancer, breakthrough in refractory, recurrent, and drug-resistant cases with brain metastasis; individualized and precise treatment of brain metastases from lung cancer; early diagnosis of pulmonary nodules and lung cancer; personalized comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of solid tumors; clinical trials of the latest immunotherapy/targeted therapy drugs.
·With nearly 30 years of experience in precision immunotherapy for lung cancer, he has led nearly 400 phase I-III clinical trials of new anticancer drugs (including national Class 1 new drugs), and is particularly skilled in treating complex cases such as refractory, recurrent, and drug-resistant conditions, as well as brain metastases.
·Early diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary nodules and lung cancer, with an annual diagnosis of over 2,000 cases (over 10,000 cases accumulated from 2019 to 2024), and a detection rate of over 90% (retrospective study in 2023).
·Proficient in comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of multiple cancer types, individualized, and interdisciplinary, covering pan-solid tumors (such as stomach/intestine/brain, etc.).
·Professor Yang Nong receives over 14,000 visits annually (2023 data).
·Managing the "Lung Cancer Immunotherapy Patient Group", with long-term follow-up management of over 4,000 lung cancer patients who have achieved long-term survival, accumulating rich clinical experience.
[Visit information]
01 [Visit Time and Location]
October 25th, 14:00-17:00
The sixth consultation area of Hainan Cancer Hospital
02 [Appointment registration]
Follow the official account of Hainan Cancer Hospital for "appointment registration"
03 [Health Consultation]
13876807106
04 [Friendly Reminder]
To facilitate the experts in understanding your condition as soon as possible, please bring:
1. ID card, medical insurance card, mobile phone
2. Accompany immediate family members (with decision-making authority)
3. Arrange the relevant examinations you have undergone in chronological order
4. Paper medical records of previous visits
5. Surgical case biopsy: paraffin blocks or 20-30 white slides
6. Pathological diagnosis report
7. Inpatient medical records and notes
8. Recent relevant examinations
9. The patient's current treatment plan
10. The most pressing questions I want to inquire about