Globally, lung cancer is dubbed the "King of Cancers" due to its exceptionally high incidence and mortality rates.According to the National Cancer Report released by the National Cancer Center, China recorded approximately 787,000 new lung cancer cases in 2015, with an incidence rate of 57.26 per 100,000. Lung cancer claimed about 631,000 lives that year, representing a mortality rate of 45.87 per 100,000. Both incidence and mortality rates rank lung cancer as the leading malignant tumor in China [1].
However, early-stage lung cancer symptoms are often subtle and easily confused with common illnesses.Taking non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)—which accounts for over 80% of all lung cancers [2]—as an example, data indicates that due to its insidious early symptoms, 70% of NSCLC patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage, having missed the optimal treatment window [3]. Conversely, timely detection and treatment in the early stages can significantly improve survival rates.Therefore, recognizing early lung cancer symptoms is crucial, especially for individuals over 40 who smoke, have occupations involving prolonged exposure to coal dust, suffer from COPD, or have a family history of lung cancer. These groups should be particularly vigilant for early warning signs!
Persistent cough and blood in sputum
Coughing is one of the most common early symptoms of lung cancer.If a new cough suddenly appears and persists for more than two weeks despite treatment, or if a previously chronic cough changes in nature within recent weeks—such as shifting from productive to dry, developing a metallic sound, or producing blood-streaked sputum—be alert to the possibility of lung cancer.Particular caution is warranted for blood in sputum, as hemoptysis from lung cancer often indicates involvement of nearby capillaries. Capillaries possess strong self-healing capabilities, repairing minor damage quickly. Consequently, after an occasional episode of blood in sputum, it may not recur for a long time. This very phenomenon leads many patients to become complacent, delaying medical attention and worsening their condition.
Chest Pain and Shortness of Breath
Chest tightness, chest pain, shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing are common symptoms across various types of lung cancer. Tumors obstructing the large airways prevent proper ventilation of lung lobes, depriving blood of oxygen and causing these symptoms.Early-stage lung cancer often presents with mild symptoms like dull or vague chest pain, which may occur in various locations. However, severe, unbearable chest pain or shortness of breath progressing to difficulty breathing may indicate advanced disease. Therefore, if these symptoms persist for weeks without triggers like strenuous exercise or fatigue, it is advisable to seek medical evaluation and treatment [4].
Extra-pulmonary Symptoms
Although typical lung cancer symptoms include coughing, blood in sputum, and chest pain, data indicates that only 25% of lung cancer patients are diagnosed based on cough as the initial symptom. A significant proportion present with symptoms originating from organs outside the lungs—known as extra-pulmonary symptoms.Common extrapulmonary symptoms include bone and joint swelling/pain, shoulder and back pain, hoarseness, frequent headaches and vomiting, and gynecomastia (enlarged breasts in men).
Recognizing lung cancer signals and early detection are crucial. Once diagnosed, standardized treatment is equally vital. With modern medicine's deepening research into lung cancer, breakthroughs have been achieved in treatment. Increasingly diverse therapeutic approaches are being applied clinically. Traditional methods like surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy continue to be optimized, while emerging targeted therapies and immunotherapies are rapidly evolving. Immunotherapy itself is also being understood with greater clarity.
Immunotherapy encompasses specific and non-specific approaches. The latter includes traditional immunotherapeutic agents (e.g., Thymalfasin, Interleukin-2) and newer immune checkpoint inhibitors (e.g., PD-1 inhibitors, CTLA-4 inhibitors).Professor Hou Mei from the Lung Cancer Center at West China Hospital in Sichuan noted that as a traditional non-specific immunotherapy drug, Thymalfasin has been used in lung cancer treatment for over a decade, accumulating extensive application experience. It plays a crucial role throughout all stages of lung cancer therapy, including the perioperative period, the window period between surgery and chemotherapy, the entire course of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and the post-chemoradiotherapy phase.The treatment process for lung cancer significantly impacts immune function. Surgery compromises the body's immune defenses, while radiotherapy and chemotherapy suppress immune activity. Chemotherapy-based lung cancer treatments often involve numerous adverse reactions, leading many patients to fear chemotherapy or even discontinue it due to toxic side effects.For these patients, combining chemotherapy with traditional non-specific immunotherapy drugs like Thymalfasin can reduce the suppression of normal immune cells caused by chemotherapy. This approach ensures the smooth progression of chemotherapy while restoring the body's immune function, thereby enhancing the body's own anti-tumor immune response and helping patients control or delay disease progression [6].
Lung cancer remains a highly scrutinized field within oncology, with treatment modalities undergoing continuous evolution in recent years. It is hoped that advances in medicine, the application of innovative therapies like immunotherapy, and the advancement of standardized lung cancer diagnosis and treatment will benefit an increasing number of patients, further improving overall survival and quality of life for those with lung cancer.
References:
1. Analysis of the Prevalence of Malignant Tumors in China in 2015. Chinese Journal of Cancer, 2019, Vol. 41, No. 1.
3. Wang LJ. Observation on the Effect of Combination Chemotherapy with Fludarabine in Treating Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer [J]. Chinese Primary Health Care, 2020, 2(07): 879-881. DOI:10.3760/cma.j.issn.1008-6706.2020.07.026
4. Yao Cunrong, Shi Minghai. Early Symptoms and Early Detection of Lung Cancer [J]. China Medical Guide, 2007, 4(11X):153-154.
5. Extrapulmonary Symptoms in Early-Stage Lung Cancer [J]. Medicine and Health Care, 2012, 20(07): 30.
6. Professor Hou Mei: Lung Cancer Treatment in an Era of Diverse Therapeutic Approaches, China Medical Forum Today Oncology, https://www.sohu.com/a/243131741_333130