How long can one live with lung cancer?

Written by Gong Chun

Oncology

Updated on September 27, 2024

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The survival period of malignant tumors is a topic of great concern to everyone. The question of how long one can live with lung cancer is very difficult to answer. It should be based on the patient's physical condition and the pathological staging. However, these judgments are only based on a predictive basis and do not determine how long the patient can live. If the patient does not relapse after surgery, is sensitive to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and shows no signs of recurrence or resistance, then their five-year survival rate is naturally higher. If the patient experiences recurrence and metastasis after surgery, then the five-year survival rate is naturally lower. Therefore, the question of how long a person can live with a malignant tumor cannot be answered generically.

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Written by Gong Chun

Oncology

1min 13sec

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What tests are conducted for lung cancer?

Diagnosis of Lung Cancer: The first method can be through chest X-ray and CT scan; The second is sputum cytology examination; The third involves using a bronchoscopy; The fourth is mediastinoscopy, which allows direct observation of the enlargement of lymph nodes on both sides of the mediastinum; The fifth is to perform PET-CT, which is Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography; The sixth requires a biopsy; it can be done through a transthoracic needle biopsy, or via a bronchoscopic biopsy; The seventh is the biopsy of metastatic lesions, such as subclavian lymph nodes, and lymph node metastases in the neck or axillary areas can be examined; The eighth can involve drawing cancerous pleural effusion; if there is pleural effusion, pleural fluid cytology examination can be performed; The ninth method is thoracotomy exploration; if lung nodules or lung tumors cannot be definitively diagnosed through various other methods, thoracotomy exploration can be performed.

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Written by Gong Chun

Oncology

53sec

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Symptoms of brain metastasis from lung cancer

Brain metastasis of lung cancer is caused by hematogenous spread of lung cancer to the brain. Brain metastasis typically presents with symptoms such as headaches, nausea, and vomiting, including projectile vomiting. The headaches may be severe, and there may be abnormalities in sensory perception and motor function, possibly accompanied by seizures, mental confusion, olfactory disturbances, visual impairments, and other symptoms. The specific symptoms can vary depending on the location of the metastasis in the brain. However, most patients experience headaches, nausea, and vomiting. Individual differences are significant, and it's important to analyze the specific issues and the specific areas of the brain affected.

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Written by Gong Chun

Oncology

1min 34sec

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What are the symptoms of lung cancer?

The most common symptoms of lung cancer include coughing, particularly irritating coughs, and symptoms of coughing up blood. The blood in the sputum may appear as spots, streaks, or intermittent small amounts. Other symptoms include difficulty breathing and chest pain, as well as potential tightness in the chest, shortness of breath, and fever. Secondly, if lung cancer grows within the thoracic cavity and spreads, invading nearby tissues and organs, it can produce secondary symptoms. For example, paralysis of the phrenic nerve on the same side may lead to difficulty breathing and belching. Compression of the recurrent laryngeal nerve may cause hoarseness; compression of the superior vena cava can lead to distended veins in the face, neck, and upper limbs; subcutaneous edema; and if the pleura is invaded, it can cause pleural effusion, among other symptoms. If lung cancer metastasizes through the bloodstream, it may spread to the brain and potentially lead to symptoms such as headaches, nausea, and vomiting. Metastasis to different regions of the brain might cause various symptoms, including seizures, mental confusion, and vision impairment. In a minority of cases, lung cancer may produce endocrine substances, possibly leading to symptoms like severe muscle weakness, bone and joint pain, and other such symptoms.

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Written by Wang Chun Mei

Pulmonology

59sec

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How to treat dry cough caused by lung cancer?

Dry cough is a very common symptom in clinical practice, caused by many factors which are also very complex. Some patients might clearly have lung cancer. Due to the presence of lung cancer lesions, patients can experience irritating dry cough as well as symptoms like hemoptysis, chest pain, and chest tightness. It is possible that some patients do not exhibit symptoms of dry cough, perhaps due to other causes. Therefore, for dry cough, we need to identify if it is caused by lung cancer, as it often requires surgical treatment to control the symptoms. Some patients with minor lung cancer who experience dry cough might be able to control it with appropriate medications. However, to effectively control symptoms of dry cough caused by lung cancer, surgical removal is generally necessary and is the ultimate treatment plan.

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Written by Gong Chun

Oncology

1min 12sec

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How is lung cancer caused?

The specific causes of lung cancer are not completely clear, but there are some high-risk factors. Research has shown that lung cancer is influenced by a combination of genetic defects and internal and external environmental carcinogens. It is undeniable that long-term heavy smoking is the most important carcinogenic factor for lung cancer, with the amount and duration of smoking being positively correlated with the incidence of lung cancer. Secondly, environmental factors, such as working with asbestos or in mining areas, are also very relevant to the incidence of lung cancer. Thirdly, irregular eating habits, rest, alcohol consumption, indoor combustion, coal smoke, fumes from kitchen cooking, and carcinogenic substances released from indoor decorations and materials are also related. Fourthly, the body's internal immune status, metabolic abnormalities, genetic factors, and chronic lung infections also have a significant impact.