Late detection means lung cancer patients may only have months to live. However, in the early stages, non-specialist doctors often confuse this disease with tuberculosis, bronchitis, asthma, and more.
Subtle Symptoms
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Dr. Tran Dinh Thanh (Photo: VNN) |
Dr. Tran Dinh Thanh, head of the oncology and pulmonary department at Pham Ngoc Thach Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, stated that nearly 80% of lung cancer patients are diagnosed at a late stage due to the disease’s very subtle and hidden symptoms.
The symptoms exhibited by lung cancer patients can easily be mistaken for other common pulmonary conditions such as bronchitis, tuberculosis, the common cold, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthma. As a result, when patients consult non-specialist doctors who do not conduct thorough examinations, the disease often goes undetected, and patients themselves may not notice.
Given these symptoms, physicians should recommend chest X-rays in both frontal and lateral views. If benign conditions do not improve after two weeks of treatment, or if the patient experiences recurrent episodes of pneumonia, they should be referred to a specialist to detect the disease in its early stages when surgical intervention may still be possible, leading to better treatment outcomes.
If both the patient and the physician pay attention to these unusual symptoms, early detection of the disease is possible. The abnormal symptoms include: persistent cough lasting more than two weeks, chest pain, coughing up blood, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, hoarseness, recurrent and worsening pneumonia or bronchitis; patients may also exhibit swelling in the neck, facial edema, and overall body weakness.
Upon visiting a specialized hospital, patients will undergo chest X-rays and lab tests to evaluate their condition.
Treatment depends on the stage of the disease, and options may include surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy, sometimes in combination. Out of 100 lung cancer patients, only 50 receive effective treatment that can extend their disease-free survival by 3-5 years or more. In advanced cases of cancer, the survival time may only be measured in months.
The “Killer” of Tobacco
Dr. Tran Dinh Thanh mentioned that many scientific studies show a strong correlation between lung cancer cases and tobacco use. Smokers are 25 times more likely to develop lung cancer than non-smokers.
The earlier a person starts smoking and the more cigarettes they consume daily, the higher their risk becomes. However, many non-smokers who live in environments with secondhand smoke are also at risk of developing lung cancer. Many women who do not smoke still develop lung cancer due to being “passive smokers” (inhaling smoke from others).
Other potential causes of lung cancer include exposure to radiation (such as those working in nuclear environments or operating radiation machines), contact with asbestos, and jobs in coal mining or quarrying. Additionally, some lung diseases, such as pulmonary tuberculosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, are also linked to lung cancer. The issue of whether environmental pollution is related to lung cancer remains unclear and requires further research.
LE THANH HA reported
According to the World Health Organization, lung cancer is the leading cause of death among cancer types. In Ho Chi Minh City, statistics from the Cancer Hospital indicate that lung cancer ranks second among cancer types in men at a rate of 25.6%, and fourth among women at a rate of 8.7%. In Hanoi, according to the Hanoi Cancer Hospital, lung cancer ranks first among men at a rate of 34.3%, and third among women at a rate of 8.6%. |
