What is the survival rate of early stage lung cancer

Data show that because early lung cancer symptoms are not obvious, 70% of patients have already developed to the middle and late stages when they seek medical treatment, and half of them are patients with locally advanced lung cancer. At this time, many patients will automatically give up surgery. If locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer can follow reasonable individualized treatment principles, surgery is completely possible. If surgery is not performed, the patient's 5-year survival rate may be only 8%.

Locally advanced lung cancer refers to a tumor that is large in size at the time of diagnosis and has invaded other nearby tissues and organs, such as the heart, large blood vessels, chest wall, esophagus, tracheal carina, etc. This group of patients accounts for nearly 60% of all lung cancer patients. Through comprehensive treatment with surgery as the main treatment, the 5-year survival rate can be significantly improved. Reasonable grasp of surgical indications and improvement of surgical skills are the key to the success of the operation.

Since the early symptoms of lung cancer are not obvious, routine lung examinations are mainly performed on the chest. However, due to the limitations of chest X-rays, about 30% of early lung cancer lesions will be missed. Therefore, for high-risk groups such as those over 45 years old, long-term smokers, and those with a family history of lung cancer, low-dose spiral CT can be performed under long-term follow-up to more accurately detect early lung cancer. Especially when the following symptoms appear for no reason in daily life, you must go to the hospital for a CT examination in time:

Cough: Occasional dry cough occurs after fatigue, which may be accompanied by a small amount of white foamy sputum.

Hemoptysis: manifested as blood streaks or small blood clots in the sputum.

Chest pain: Chest pain is irregular, dull or aching.

Fever: Low or moderate fever, unresponsive to antibiotic treatment.

Joint swelling and pain: mostly occurs in the ankle joint, manifested as migratory arthritis symptoms, burning pain in the elbows, knees, ankles, wrists, etc., and hyperplasia of the elbow and periostium can be seen

Clubbing: It is characterized by hypertrophy of the first segment of the fingers and toes, often accompanied by varying degrees of pain. The symptoms may disappear after the lesion is removed.

After some early symptoms appear, if the patient can detect and undergo surgery in time, the 5-year survival rate can be effectively improved. At present, the advanced thoracoscopic minimally invasive technology is used to remove the tumor. Only two to three 2 cm small incisions are made in the patient's chest under the armpit. By accurately inserting surgical tools such as electrocoagulators, cutting staplers, and lenses through the chest wall to the tumor, the tumor can be completely removed. The thoracoscopic minimally invasive technology does not require conventional thoracotomy and will not cause damage to the patient's muscles. It has the advantages of less trauma, faster recovery, and less pain. It provides surgical opportunities for patients with poor lung function, frailty, and those who cannot tolerate conventional thoracotomy.