When
a loved one is diagnosed with lung cancer, every family member harbors a simple
yet urgent wish: to find the most effective treatment with minimal side
effects, and to accompany their loved one to go further.
However, when faced with the "combination therapy" plan proposed by doctors, many people will fall into deep confusion and even instinctively reject it: "The targeted drug clearly works well, why do we need to add radiotherapy?" "Chemotherapy already makes the body feel uncomfortable enough, can the body withstand the additional immunotherapy?"
The practice of modern medicine and the experiences of numerous long-surviving patients have revealed a truth: for most lung cancer patients, a "combined approach" of multiple treatment modalities is the only way to achieve clinical cure or long-term control.
Ms. Sun's mother was diagnosed with lung cancer last year. In order to find a better follow-up treatment plan, she began to inquire about authoritative experts in the field of lung cancer from various sources. After being recommended by a friend, she brought her mother's past medical records and the latest follow-up examination data to the outpatient clinic of Professor Yang Nong, a specially-appointed expert at Hainan Cancer Hospital.
"Professor Yang, I saw you mention on social media that radiotherapy can be used for tumors that have shrunk. Is that true?" Ms. Sun couldn't wait to ask her question as soon as she sat down, her eyes filled with anticipation and anxiety. Her mother had been taking targeted drugs regularly and her condition was temporarily stable, but she was always worried about potential changes in the future and hoped to find a more reliable treatment direction.
"The key depends on what outcome you want. If you want to control the disease for a longer period of time and live longer, you should add local stereotactic radiotherapy." Based on relevant diagnostic and treatment information, Professor Yang Nong suggested that Ms. Sun's mother undergo another PET-CT scan. If active tumors are detected, local radiotherapy can be used.
"But she has been taking targeted drugs and has already undergone one form of treatment. Will adding radiotherapy be too taxing on her body? Can her body adapt to it?" Ms. Sun still cannot shake off her concerns, which is also the biggest worry many family members have when facing combined treatment.
In response, Professor Yang stated, "Among patients who have achieved long-term survival, none have done so solely through the use of a single treatment method. All have undergone various treatment approaches. In particular, comprehensive treatment should be administered when tumor control is at its best, rather than waiting until it grows larger. This is crucial and is widely recognized within the industry."
In Professor Yang Nong's outpatient clinic, it is not uncommon to see patients and their families who are confused about comprehensive treatment.
Professor Yang emphasized that cancer patients who want to live longer must not reject chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The vast majority of long-term survivors have used various treatment methods such as targeted therapy, immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. "Many patients say that they have been taking targeted drugs for a long time and their condition is well controlled. Now that their disease has progressed, they are unwilling to add other treatments. At this time, patients and their families need to know what they want to achieve. If you want to live longer or be cured, you cannot reject the combined use of multiple treatment methods."
Expert Introduction / Consultation 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]
8:00-12:00 on November 2nd
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