Being diagnosed with lung cancer is already a devastating blow for patients and their families. If further examination reveals liver metastasis of lung cancer, many people mistakenly believe that the disease has reached its terminal stage and give up treatment.
Professor Yang Nong, a specially-appointed expert at Hainan Cancer Hospital/Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Hainan Medical University, stated that although lung cancer with liver metastasis is considered advanced, it is not untreatable. With the continuous iteration of targeted, immunotherapy, and precision local treatment technologies, the efficacy of treating advanced lung cancer has significantly improved. Many lung cancer patients with liver metastasis can achieve long-term survival with the tumor after undergoing standardized treatment, and their quality of life can also be well maintained.
Today, we have invited Professor Yang Nong to provide a comprehensive and professional interpretation of issues related to lung cancer liver metastasis, which are of widespread concern to patients and their families. His insights will help everyone overcome misconceptions in diagnosis and treatment, adopt a scientific approach to fighting cancer, and face the situation with equanimity.
Q1: What is liver metastasis of lung cancer?
A: Professor Yang Nong
Lung cancer liver metastasis refers to the spread of primary cancer cells from the lungs to the liver through blood circulation and other pathways, where they colonize and grow within liver tissue, forming new metastatic tumors.
Clinical data indicates that such metastasis is quite common: approximately 13% of patients with non-small cell lung cancer will develop liver metastasis, while the proportion of liver metastasis in patients with small cell lung cancer is even higher, reaching up to 33%.
Q2: Why are lung cancer cells prone to metastasizing to the liver?
A: Professor Yang Nong
There are primarily two core reasons
Cancer cells from the primary lesion of lung cancer are prone to shedding, invading the human blood circulation, and traveling to various parts of the body through the bloodstream;
The liver has abundant blood supply and adequate nutrition, and its local immune defense is relatively weak. Therefore, once cancer cells enter the liver, they are more likely to successfully take root, proliferate, and grow, forming metastatic lesions.
Q3: If lung cancer with liver metastasis is detected, how should the subsequent treatment be carried out?
A: Professor Yang Nong
First, a comprehensive examination is needed to determine the type of cancer cells, whether there are specific targets, how many metastatic lesions there are in the liver, and whether the liver function is good or not. Then, the treatment plan can be determined. Currently, the standard treatment options for lung cancer with liver metastasis in clinical practice mainly include the following:
Systemic treatment is the core. If a target is identified, targeted drugs are administered; if not, immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy can be used. If there are only 1-3 metastatic lesions, local treatment can also be added, such as surgical resection. After the removal of a single small metastatic lesion, the 5-year survival rate can reach 20%-30%. Additionally, radiotherapy and interventional therapy can effectively control local metastatic lesions.
Q4: After undergoing standardized treatment for lung cancer with liver metastasis, how long can the patient expect to survive?
A: Professor Yang Nong
Whether treatment is administered and whether it is administered in a standardized manner have a significant impact on the survival period of patients. For lung cancer patients with liver metastasis who do not receive standardized treatment, their average survival period is only 3-6 months.
After undergoing standardized comprehensive treatment, the survival prognosis of patients will be significantly improved. Clinical data shows that for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have liver metastasis or oligometastasis, the 5-year survival rate can reach 15% to 25% after standardized treatment. For patients with treatment target advantages, the survival rate will be further improved. Even for patients with extensive small cell lung cancer (SCLC), the standard treatment of immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy can effectively prolong survival and delay disease progression.
In summary, liver metastasis of lung cancer is by no means a "death sentence". In recent years, the rapid development of novel treatment technologies such as targeted therapy and immunotherapy has completely rewritten the treatment paradigm for advanced lung cancer, helping countless patients with advanced disease achieve long-term and high-quality survival.
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 Medicine Research Center. He has been dedicated to precision targeted therapy for lung cancer and gastrointestinal tumors, as well as to challenging, recurrent, and drug-resistant clinical cases, scientific research, and teaching 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 as "Annual Good Doctor" by patients across the country 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 in cancer prevention and treatment science popularization.
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 and 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 Class 1 national 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, covering a wide range of solid tumors (such as stomach, intestine, brain, etc.).
[Visit Information]
1. Clinic Hours and Location
June 14th, 14:00-17:00
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 help the expert understand your condition quickly, please bring the following:
1. ID card, medical insurance card, and mobile phone
2. Accompanying direct relatives (with decision-making authority)
3. Relevant previous examination results, organized chronologically
4. Paper medical records from previous consultations
5. Surgical case slides, wax blocks, or 20-30 glass slides
6. Pathological diagnosis report
7. Hospitalization medical records
8. Recent relevant examination results
9. The patients current treatment plan
10. The most urgent questions to consult