Lung cancer has emerged as the leading cause of cancer in South Korea, accounting for about 20% of all cancer patients. While smoking remains the primary cause, there has been an alarming increase in non-smoking patients recently, highlighting the need for greater public awareness and attention.
National cancer registry statistics released by The Ministry of Health and Welfare on Thursday reveal that lung cancer accounted for 11.5% of all cancer cases diagnosed in 2022. The prevalence of lung cancer continues to rise steadily. One of the challenges with lung cancer is that it often presents no noticeable symptoms in its early stages and is frequently not detected through regular chest X-rays, leading to delayed diagnoses. By the time symptoms appear, the disease may have already progressed significantly, underscoring the critical importance of early detection.
Common symptoms of lung cancer include cough, sputum, shortness of breath, weight loss, and chest pain. These symptoms typically worsen as the cancer progresses, and individuals should visit a hospital immediately upon experiencing any of them. Moreover, approximately 25% of early-stage lung cancer patients show no symptoms, with their condition often discovered through regular health checkups.
Lung cancer occurs due to various factors, with smoking being the most well-known cause. About 80% of lung cancer patients have a history of smoking, demonstrating a strong correlation between smoking and lung cancer. Passive smoking also poses a significant risk. Other contributing factors include air pollution, exposure to harmful substances like asbestos, and genetic factors. Those with a history of smoking or a family history of lung cancer should be particularly cautious.
The primary treatments for lung cancer include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. For early-stage lung cancer, surgery is considered the most effective treatment with the highest possibility of complete recovery. Surgical approaches vary based on the tumor’s size, location, type, and stage, including wedge resection (removal of a part of the lung containing the tumor), lobectomy (removal of a lung lobe), and pneumonectomy (removal of an entire lung). Early intervention before cancer cells spread yields the best outcomes. Recently, even complex lung cancer surgeries have been performed through minimally invasive techniques such as thoracoscopy and robotic surgeries, which involve smaller incisions and result in less pain and fewer complications after surgery.
Chemotherapy is often prioritized for advanced or metastatic lung cancer. It may also be used before surgery to shrink tumors or eliminate any remaining cancer cells. However, chemotherapy can have significant side effects, so it’s essential to carefully consider drug combinations and dosages based on each patient’s condition. Recent developments in gene-based targeted therapies and immunotherapies have shown promising results and are increasingly being incorporated into clinical practice.
Professor Jae Ho Jeong of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Korea University Anam Hospital emphasizes, “When detected early, lung cancer can be treated with minimally invasive surgery, significantly improving survival rates with minimal pain and high stability. Therefore, regular checkups are crucial.” He stresses the importance of early detection and proactive treatment, particularly for those with risk factors such as smoking history or family history, through screening tests like CT scans.
