With
the advancement of medical technology, long-term survival for patients with
advanced lung cancer has become a tangible treatment goal in clinical practice.
Among these, whether the survival period of patients with advanced lung cancer
can exceed ten years has become the core concern of patients and their
families. The achievement of this goal is closely related to multiple key
clinical factors and the patients' own behaviors.
For this purpose, Professor Yang Nong, a specially-appointed expert from Hainan Cancer Hospital, has been specially invited to provide professional analysis on hot topics related to advanced lung cancer, offering scientific guidance to patients and their families, and assisting them in making reasonable treatment decisions.
Patients with advanced lung cancer can survive for more than ten years
Professor Yang Nong: A decade ago, treatment options for advanced lung cancer were limited. Nowadays, with rapid advancements in medicine, targeted therapy precisely kills cancer cells with minimal side effects, immunotherapy enhances the immune system's ability to fight cancer, and chemotherapy and radiotherapy are more precise, protecting normal cells to the greatest extent. Therefore, patients with advanced lung cancer should not give up easily.
Whether the survival period can exceed ten years depends on three key factors:
1. Pathological type and genetic status: For patients with sensitive gene mutations, targeted drugs can control the disease for a long time;
2. Treatment compliance involves finding the right treatment plan, adhering to standardized treatment, and not giving up easily;
3. Mental attitude and physical foundation: Maintaining a positive mindset, eating reasonably, and engaging in moderate activities are essential for better tolerance of treatment.
Professor Yang Nong said that he has seen many terminal patients who, after finding suitable treatment plans, are able to accompany their families normally and live a quality life. "The patients' current pain and confusion are temporary. Don't be trapped by the 'terminal' label. We won't give up on any patient. Believe in medicine and yourself, and there are infinite possibilities."
What are the symptoms of lung cancer in its advanced stage
Professor Yang Nong: When lung cancer progresses to a larger tumor size and invades surrounding tissues and organs, it will present obvious symptoms. For example, invasion of the chest wall can cause chest pain, compression of the trachea can lead to difficulty breathing, invasion of blood vessels can result in coughing and hemoptysis, and invasion of the trachea and bronchi can cause frequent coughing and expectoration. The endocrine function of some tumors may also trigger systemic symptoms such as acromegaly.
When distant metastasis occurs in the late stage, symptoms will vary depending on the site of metastasis: bone metastasis will cause significant bone pain, brain metastasis will manifest as nausea and vomiting, increased intracranial pressure, multiple lung metastases leading to difficulty breathing, liver metastasis causing pain in the liver area and abnormal liver function, and compression of the biliary tract leading to jaundice.
Many people say that lung cancer is a disease of the elderly and smoking. Is this really the case?
Professor Yang Nong: In his nearly 30 years of clinical practice, he has encountered numerous patients who do not smoke but have developed lung cancer. Among them are young individuals, even children, who have been exposed to second-hand smoke for extended periods. He once treated a 19-year-old girl who, due to her family's long-term smoking habits, had been exposed to second-hand and third-hand smoke since childhood. She was ultimately diagnosed with early-stage lung cancer. Although she recovered well after treatment, the experience remains a chilling reminder.
Second-hand smoke contains hundreds of harmful substances, at least 69 of which are known carcinogens. Over time, these substances can accumulate and potentially cause cancer in cells.
What is even more frightening is that many people overlook third-hand smoke, which refers to the tobacco smoke contaminants that remain on walls, furniture, clothing, curtains, and even children's toys after smoking. Children like to crawl on the floor, touch things with their hands, and then eat, making it easy for them to ingest these harmful substances into their mouths and lungs. Moreover, for children whose immune and respiratory systems are not yet fully developed, this harm is doubled.
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 clinical, scientific research, and teaching work in complex, recurrent, and drug-resistant cases for nearly 30 years.
He has been honored with the title of "Outstanding Exemplar of National Famous Doctors" in the 6th edition, and has been recommended as "Annual Excellent Doctor" by patients across the country for eight consecutive years, as well as being awarded the title of "First Brain Doctor and Famous Doctor". He has authored national guidelines, boasts over 500,000 followers across the internet, and has garnered over 120 million views for his anti-cancer science popularization videos.
[Medical expertise]
Specialties: Precision treatment of lung cancer, breakthroughs in complex, recurrent, drug-resistant, and brain-metastatic conditions; individualized and precise treatment for brain metastases of lung cancer; early diagnosis of pulmonary nodules and lung cancer; personalized and comprehensive diagnosis and treatment for 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.
He is also proficient in the comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of multiple cancer types, individualized, and interdisciplinary across various solid tumors (such as stomach, intestine, brain, etc.).
[Visit information]
1. Clinic Hours and Location
March 1st, 8:00-12:00
The sixth consultation area of Hainan Cancer Hospital
2. [Appointment registration]
Follow the official account of Hainan Cancer Hospital for "appointment registration"
3. Health consultation
18976324546
[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: wax block 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. Several urgent questions I want to ask