Sing Tao Front Page Exclusive Interview: 55% of New Lung Cancer Cases Are at Advanced Stages, Personalized Therapy Helps Reduce Recurrence Risk

According to the latest statistics, lung cancer is the most common and deadliest cancer in Hong Kong. In 2022, Hong Kong recorded 5,707 cases of lung cancer, accounting for 16.1% of all cancer cases; there were 3,782 deaths. These figures highlight the importance of lung cancer treatment and early detection.

In his lecture, Dr. Li Yu Chung, Jacky pointed out that lung cancer is the deadliest cancer, mainly because early-stage lung cancer often presents with few or no symptoms. By the time patients seek medical attention, the disease may have progressed to a later stage, significantly reducing the chances of a cure. Lung cancer can be broadly classified into small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer, with the latter accounting for the majority, exceeding 80%.

Browse the headlines of Xingdao: Medical chat fun enjoy- 55% of new lung cancer diseases are advanced personalized treatment to help reduce the risk of recurrence

Main pathogenic factors

The most common causes of lung cancer include：

• Smoking: still the most important risk factor
• Air pollution: long-term exposure to polluted environment
• Genetic factors: the influence of family history
• Hormonal factors: increased risk for specific populations
• Radiotherapy Services: For patients who have previously received chest radiotherapy.

Warning signs and symptoms cannot be ignored

Dr. Li Yu Chung, Jacky emphasized that if you have the following symptoms, you must seek medical attention immediately：

• Persistent cough
• Coughing up blood
• Shengsha
• Shortness of breath
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Swelling of the lymph glands in the neck

"These symptoms are often overlooked, so most new lung cancer cases are already at stage four. In 2022, stage four lung cancer accounted for about 55% of new cases," said Dr. Li Yu Chung, Jacky.

The key to early detection

Dr. Li Yu Chung, Jacky cited research data to point out that the earlier the stage of lung cancer, the higher the survival rate.：

• Phase I: Five-year survival rate 72.4%
• Phase II: Five-year survival rate of 45.4%, recurrence rate of 62%
• Phase 3: Five-year survival rate of 24.6%, recurrence rate of 76%
• Phase 4: Survival rate data not provided

These data clearly show the importance of early detection and diagnosis. The five-year survival rate of patients with stage one lung cancer can reach 72.4%, but once it develops to stage two or three, the recurrence rate reaches 62% and 76%, respectively, and the five-year survival rate drops significantly to 45.4% and 24.6%.

The importance of regular screening

Therefore, regular cancer screenings are very important. Dr. Li Yu Chung, Jacky pointed out that health departments around the world have recommended that high-risk people undergo regular lung cancer screenings.：

• Age: 50/55 to 74 years old
• Smoking history: Smoking 20/30 packs or more per year
• Recommended screening: Annual LDCT (low-dose computed tomography) screening.

For related information, please refer to the Hong Kong Hospital Authority's recommendations on lung cancer screening.

Complete diagnostic procedures

For patients suspected of having lung cancer, the United Cancer Centre of Hong Kong will arrange a comprehensive examination：

• Lung X-ray
• Bronchoscopy
• Ultrasonic scanning
• Computer scanning
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Blood and sputum tests

Genetic testing guides precision treatment.

Dr. Lee Yu-chung emphasized that every patient's tumor is different, and cancer gene testing, such as testing for specific gene mutations and PD-L1 protein levels, allows patients and doctors to understand the characteristics of the tumor. The lung cancer biomarker testing at Hong Kong United Oncology Centre includes:

• EGFR gene mutation detection
• ALK genetic testing
• ROS1 target drug related testing
• PD-L1 protein expression level detection

Multi-disciplinary teamwork

The United Cancer Centre of Hong Kong consists of a team of experts from different departments to jointly diagnose, stage, and formulate the most appropriate personalized lung cancer treatment plan.：

• Respiratory specialist
• Specialist in Clinical Oncology
• Specialist, Department of Radiation Therapy
• Cardiothoracic surgeon
• Expert in the Department of Pathology

Treatment options usually depend on several factors, including the type of lung cancer, the size and location of the tumor, the stage, and the overall health status.

Early non-small cell lung cancer treatment

For early-stage non-small cell lung cancer, the treatment plan is determined based on the results of genetic mutation tests for genes such as EGFR, ALK, or ROS1:

• Positive result: Surgery + post-operative targeted therapy
• Negative result: Preoperative treatment + surgery, postoperative treatment, or perioperative treatment (preoperative treatment + surgery + postoperative treatment)

Innovative "sandwich" treatment plan: Pre-operative adjuvant immunotherapy combined with surgery + adjuvant immunotherapy.

Advanced or metastatic treatment options

If it is not for small cell lung cancer, it has reached advanced or metastatic stage：

• Patients with positive genetic tests: targeted therapy is usually the preferred method
• For patients with negative genetic test results: treatment options should be considered based on PD-L1 protein expression levels.

Patients with high PD-L1 expression levels (≥50%) can choose immunotherapy as a first-line treatment, or in combination with chemotherapy; patients with low (1%-49%) or no expression of PD-L1 will primarily receive immunotherapy in combination with chemotherapy.

Complete treatment options

The lung cancer treatment options provided by the United Cancer Centre of Hong Kong include：

• Resection
• Chemotherapy
• Radiology
• Immunotherapy treatment course
• Targeted therapy plan

Each treatment method has different effects and side effects, and the medical team will develop the most suitable personalized plan for each patient.

Professional Qualifications of Dr. Li Yu Chung, Jacky

Dr. Li Yu Chung, Jacky has extensive experience in the treatment of lung cancer and holds：

• Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong — MBBS (HK)
• Fellow of the Royal College of Radiologists of the United Kingdom — FRCR (UK)
• Fellow of the Hong Kong College of Radiologists — FHKCR
• Fellow of the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine (Radiology) FHKAM

Personalized medical service features

Adhering to the concept of ”patient-oriented”, the United Cancer Centre of Hong Kong provides the following unique service features：

• Create a separate WhatsApp group with the attending doctor
• Pay close attention to the patient's situation
• You can also keep in touch with the attending doctor during non-office hours
• Tailor the most personalized lung cancer treatment plan for each patient

Economic support measures include：

• Provision of drug subsidy scheme
• Clinical research program participation opportunities
• Reduce the financial burden on patients

Comprehensive cancer services

The center provides complete cancer treatment services：

• Cancer screening and early diagnosis
• Cancer genetic testing
• Targeted therapy plan
• Immunotherapy treatment course
• Chemotherapy treatment plan
• Radiology
• Hormone therapy
• Palliative care

Dr. Li Yu Chung, Jacky finally emphasized that lung cancer is actually not as terrifying as the public thinks. Nowadays, the treatment methods of lung cancer are increasingly advanced. Early detection of early-stage lung cancer and follow-up treatment can reduce the risk of death associated with lung cancer.

If you or your family needs to know more about lung cancer treatment, cancer genetic testing or lung cancer screening services, please contact the United Cancer Centre of Hong Kong. Our professional team will provide you with detailed medical consultation to help develop the most suitable personalized treatment plan.