Associate Professor, Doctor Vu Hu Vinh, Director of the Thoracic - Vascular Surgery Center at Tam Anh General Hospital in TP HCM, indicated surgery was necessary. The tumor could continue to invade, compress large blood vessels, impair respiratory function, and threaten the patient's life.

The tumor was located in the upper lobe of the right lung, near the hilum – where large blood vessel branches and the main bronchus originate, making surgery challenging. The tumor also invaded the artery within the lung lobe, and lymph node 10 had invaded the root of the pulmonary artery. Surgery carried a risk of damaging large blood vessels, potentially causing massive hemorrhage or pneumothorax.

After consultation, the team decided to perform robotic endoscopic surgery using the Da Vinci Xi system. This approach increased precision when dissecting the tumor, avoided damaging large arteries, and preserved as much healthy lung tissue as possible. The robot allowed doctors to perform two techniques simultaneously during the operation: tumor removal and collecting sufficient tissue samples for frozen section biopsy to accurately determine the tumor's nature.

Associate Professor Vinh carefully controls the robot to dissect the tumor from large blood vessels. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital

Associate Professor Vinh controlled four robotic arms to access the tumor, which was located close to the main pulmonary artery. The 3D camera's high magnification provided doctors with a clear view of each blood vessel structure and diseased tissue. The team precisely collected tissue samples, minimizing blood loss and damage to healthy tissue.

After 40 minutes, the frozen section biopsy results confirmed adenocarcinoma, stage T2. The team proceeded to remove the entire lung lobe containing the tumor and safely dissected lymph nodes without complications.

"The tumor's difficult location meant the surgery lasted 5 hours, one and a half times longer than typical lung lobe resections," Associate Professor Vinh said.

Post-surgery, Mr. Le recovered quickly, experienced less pain at the incision site, and was discharged after three days, healthy enough to continue with adjuvant chemotherapy.

Associate Professor Vinh checks Mr. Le's incision after surgery. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital

Early-stage lung cancer often lacks clear symptoms, making it easily confused with common respiratory illnesses. Individuals with risk factors, such as long-term smokers, former smokers, those exposed to occupational dust and smoke, or individuals with a family history of lung cancer or chronic lung diseases, should undergo annual health check-ups and screenings as advised by their doctors.

Early detection not only increases the chance of cure but also allows for minimally invasive techniques, maximizing lung preservation, and maintaining physical condition and respiratory function after treatment.

Bao Anh