Lung Cancer: Not All is Lost

By:Dr Koong Heng Nung, Senior consultant, Dept of Surgical Oncology, NCC

Lung cancer tragically still affects many in Singapore accounting for a large numbers of cancer deaths. In addition, many lung cancers still present at a late stage giving rise to the poor treatment outcome. Majority present with symptoms of cough, shortness of breath, chest pain and in the very late stage, bone pain or neurologic symptoms.

Ironically, it is also a cancer that is largely preventable. Large-scaled population studies showed that up to 90% of lung cancer is related to smoking. Smokers have a 10-fold increased risk of dying from lung cancer compared to non-smokers. In heavy smokers, this risk can increase to 15 - 25 folds. Given this strong relationship, it is understandable that smoking cessation is the most important step in reducing death from lung cancer. Moreover, as majority of the symptoms of lung cancer is nearly identical to symptoms of chronic lung disease secondary to smoking, it is even more advisable to stop smoking. Studies have shown that smoking cessation reduce the risk of lung cancer formation.

Lung cancer treatment has improved. Surgical resection of Stage I and II Lung Cancer may confer cure. With appropriate assessment and selection of patients, this curative option entails a surgery lasting approximately 2½ hours followed by hospitalization stay of about a week. It is technical safe especially with the current general anesthetic strategies.

Lung cancer is also sensitive to chemotherapy. Results have show that chemotherapy has superior benefits over no treatment. Many drugs with improved responses and better control of symptoms are also entering the market. With this, the National Cancer Centre provide on-going clinical studies with these newer drugs in order to provide patients with the maximum benefit of emerging treatments.

Improvement in radiation treatment for lung cancer is also seen. Used alone or in combination with chemotherapy, previously incurable Lung cancer may now be treated with some degree of response and hopefully, curative potential.

For more information on Lung Cancer, call the Cancer Helpline on tel: 6225 5655.