Lung cancer is difficult to find in the early stage. Nearly 50% of patients were diagnosed with advanced stage.
According to the cancer registration report of the national health department, lung cancer is the top ten cancers, with nearly10.3 million new cases every year, and nearly 9,000 patients die of lung cancer every year. Zhang Shijie, director of the Chest Department of the Affiliated Hospital of National Yangming University, pointed out that lung cancer is a new national disease in Taiwan Province Province, with a five-year survival rate of less than 20%. Because the initial symptoms of lung cancer are not obvious, according to clinical data, nearly 50% patients are newly diagnosed with advanced lung adenocarcinoma, and if they do not follow conventional treatment, their survival time will be less than three months. In addition, among the top ten cancers, lung cancer has the highest incidence of distant metastasis, and nearly 40% of lung adenocarcinoma patients will eventually have brain metastasis. Even many patients go to the hospital for symptoms such as stroke, dizziness and headache, only to find that these diseases are caused by lung adenocarcinoma metastasizing to the brain.
Genetic testing is indispensable, and targeted therapy is more accurate.
Director Zhang Shijie further explained that EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) gene mutation is the most common carcinogen genotype of lung adenocarcinoma in China, accounting for about half; Secondly, the genetic variation of ALK(anaplastilymphomakinase) accounts for about 3 ~ 5%. Although ALK-positive lung adenocarcinoma is rare, it is more prone to distant metastasis, such as brain and bone metastasis. At present, in medical progress, both EGFR and ALK have matched targeted drugs, especially for patients with brain metastases from ALK-positive lung adenocarcinoma. A new generation of ALK-positive inhibitor oral targeted drugs developed in Japan can effectively control the disease, and the small molecular structure of the new generation of targeted drugs can more easily penetrate into the brain to control tumors, thus improving symptoms.
360-degree comprehensive treatment team benefits patients in Yilan area
The aging rate in Yilan area is quite high. The average age of lung cancer is about 72 years old, which is 7 years higher than that in Taiwan Province province. Director Zhang pointed out that the Affiliated Hospital of National Yangming University conducted a disease analysis in Yilan as early as 10 years ago and found that cancer was a great threat to the villagers in Yilan. Therefore, the hospital set up a "cancer multidisciplinary team" to provide better medical services for people in Yilan area for different cancers; In addition, the multidisciplinary team of thoracic oncology has obtained the cancer quality certification of the Medical Policy Committee on 107. There are professional thoracic surgeons and surgeons, who are respectively responsible for surgery and related systemic treatment, nutritionists, pathologists and personal managers, who provide professional care and help to the public, and even oncologists, who help patients relieve the pressure and anxiety of cancer. I hope that patients can stay in Yilan for medical treatment through 360-degree all-round medical treatment.
High-risk groups should pay attention to the necessity of health screening
Director Zhang Shijie finally appealed that early detection and early treatment is the key to improve the survival rate of all cancers. For example, people with lung cancer among third-degree relatives, long-term smokers or people who have been exposed to risk factors for a long time due to occupational reasons should pay attention to cancer screening and receive low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) regularly when necessary. Once the lesion is found, it should be treated immediately to stay away from the harm of lung cancer.
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Topic: ALK positive, National Yangming University Affiliated Hospital, targeted therapy, epilepsy, lung cancer, brain metastasis.