A 68-year-old woman, Ms. Duyen, discovered she had two lung tumors, measuring 16x16 mm and 27x28 mm, during a routine health check at Tam Anh General Hospital in Hanoi. She had not experienced any prior symptoms. Dr. Vu Huu Khiem, Head of the Oncology Department, diagnosed her with early-stage multifocal primary lung cancer, treatable with surgery.

Lungs have the unique ability to expand and contract. With proper post-operative care, they can often return to their original size, allowing patients to live healthy lives. However, because Ms. Duyen had tumors in both lungs, removing them simultaneously risked respiratory failure. The medical team decided on a two-stage approach, removing one tumor at a time to allow for recovery between procedures.

Ms. Duyen's tumors as seen on a CT scan. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital

Ms. Duyen's tumors as seen on a CT scan. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital

In the first surgery, doctors removed the upper right lobe of her lung containing the tumor. A biopsy revealed adenocarcinoma that had not spread to surrounding tissues or lymph nodes. After a month of recovery, with improved lung function, Ms. Duyen underwent a second surgery to remove the upper left lobe, eliminating the remaining tumor.

Following the surgeries, Ms. Duyen recovered well and began respiratory rehabilitation exercises to promote lung expansion. "With proper care and exercise, the lungs can return to their original size within three months," said Dr. Khiem.

The 5-year survival rate for early-stage lung cancer treated with surgery can reach 70-90%, depending on the histological type and the patient's overall health. Dr. Khiem emphasized the aggressive nature of lung cancer: if it progresses to later stages, spreading beyond the lungs, surgery becomes less viable. In such cases, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy are used to manage the disease and prolong survival.

Dr. Khiem examines a patient's lung CT scan. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital

Dr. Khiem examines a patient's lung CT scan. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital

According to Globocan 2022, lung cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in Vietnam. Doctors recommend regular low-dose CT scans for individuals over 50, especially those with risk factors such as smoking, exposure to dust and air pollution, chronic lung disease, or a family history of lung cancer.

Hoai Pham