On 2/1, Associate Professor Doctor Pham Cam Phuong, Director of the Nuclear Medicine and Oncology Center at Bach Mai Hospital, reported that a patient was admitted after discovering an unusual lump in her neck about one month prior. Besides a history of well-managed hypertension, she presented no typical lung cancer symptoms such as: coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain, or unexplained weight loss.

At the hospital, doctors ordered a biopsy of the right neck lymph node and an immunohistochemistry test. The results confirmed the patient had metastatic lung adenocarcinoma.

Doctor Phuong noted that swollen neck lymph nodes are a clinical sign that can be easily misinterpreted. This condition often indicates common inflammatory diseases like: a sore throat, tonsillitis, or tooth decay, but it also signals malignant conditions such as: nasopharyngeal cancer, lymphoma, or metastatic lung cancer. Therefore, the patient's proactive decision to seek medical attention immediately upon noticing an unusual sign helped detect the disease at a stage where effective intervention was possible.

The patient received a treatment regimen combining immunotherapy and chemotherapy. During the infusions, she experienced some mild side effects, including: fatigue and nausea, but these were not significant. After 6 cycles of treatment, her health improved, and no serious complications were recorded.

Illustration of lung cancer. *Photo: Pinterest*

In Vietnam, lung cancer ranks second after liver cancer, with approximately 26,000 new cases and 23,000 deaths each year. A staggering 75% of lung cancer patients are diagnosed at a late stage. This aggressive disease progresses silently in its early phases, presenting almost no clinical symptoms. Currently, early diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer remain a significant challenge for many countries, including Vietnam.

Symptoms only emerge when the tumor reaches a sufficient size and invades surrounding tissues. Most early detections occur through routine health check-ups or examinations for other medical conditions.

According to doctors, lung cancer treatment methods, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy combined with immunotherapy, have opened a new therapeutic approach. This combination helps improve survival rates, particularly for patients in inoperable stages.

"One of the strengths of this approach is its ability to minimize side effects compared to chemotherapy alone, helping patients experience a better quality of life throughout the treatment process", a doctor stated.

Doctors recommend annual lung cancer screening, especially for: individuals aged 50-80; those who are currently smoking or have quit within 15 years; individuals frequently exposed to secondhand smoke; those with a family history of lung cancer; or anyone previously exposed to Radon gas (a natural radioactive gas that can appear in living environments, homes, schools, and workplaces).

Thuy An