Correct diagnosis of lung-cancer saves lives

Correct diagnosis of lung-cancer saves lives

New Delhi: Max Hospitals on Saturday announced that two patients, Mrs. Tripathi, 76 and Anand Narayan, 30, have won their battle against lung cancer and are successfully living a healthy life now. Lung Cancer or lung carcinoma is estimated to be responsible for nearly 20 percent deaths due to cancer.

According to the Max healthcare experts, of all cancers, lung cancer is one of the most lethal cancers with the highest mortality rates recorded globally. Low awareness around its occurrence and delayed recognition of symptoms (often misunderstood as TB) often pushes this life-threatening and rather aggressive cancer to the brim in most patients. Also, the common belief that a stage IV lung cancer patient can survive only for a few months post diagnosis, is gradually changing with advancement in treatment techniques. It is therefore important that the right amount of awareness is created to bring down fatalities, as much as possible.

Mrs. Tripathi was diagnosed with metastatic cancer of right lung (Stage IV) in 2009 when she was 65 years of age. She presented with cervical lymph node enlargement with the history of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Evaluation confirmed primary lung cancer with metastases and PET-CT scan showed malignant mass in the upper right lobe of her lung confirming adenocarcinoma.

“After thorough evaluation, our team of oncologists planned to put her on Chemotherapy along with 6 cycles of associated medication till October 2012 which stabilized her condition. As she was asymptomatic, we advised her on follow-up treatment. Six years later in September 2018, she showed mild progression of cancerous cells and in May 2019, her scan revealed a metastasis to the liver. We then successfully treated her with oral and targeted therapy. Mrs. Tripathi is doing well, and her condition is stable,” said Dr. Meenu Walia, Director, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Patparganj.

Correct diagnosis of lung-cancer saves lives

“Despite an aggressive stage-IV cancer, Mrs. Tripathi has fought cancer for about 10 years and has survived without undergoing any surgery. With the advances of newer techniques and selection of the right choice of therapy, cancer can be tackled even at advanced stages and older age groups. However, it is always recommended to get yourself screened time-to-time to detect the disease early,” added Dr. Walia.

Another patient, Anand Narayan hailing from Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh was diagnosed with a rare type of lung cancer where he developed Carcinoid Tumor. Interestingly, Anand had never smoked in his life and his alcohol consumption too was once or twice a year but even at such a young age he had an encounter with such a dreaded disease.

Anand got the shock of his life, when in September 2019 he had massive bout of bleeding in his sputum while spitting. He was immediately rushed to Delhi where he was diagnosed with a rare type of Lung cancer and would have to get his left lung removed. Not satisfied with the investigation, he visited Max Institute of Cancer Care, New Delhi.

Dr. Shubham Jain, Consultant, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket said, “After carefully going through his report, we came to a conclusion that for such a young man, removal of a lung would result in a lot of problems after the surgery like pain, weakness, fatigue, and shortness of breath. Therefore, we suggested a complex yet effective surgery which would be minimally invasive and would give him a new lease of life instead of post-surgical issues.”

Correct diagnosis of lung-cancer saves lives

The team of doctors at Max Hospitals decided to go for sleeve lobectomy, which would allow them to remove only the affected part of his lung, rather than the whole lung. Though the surgery is quite complex in nature, yet it provides long term survival. He was discharged soon and fortunately he did not even need further treatment in the form of medication, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy.

Both Mrs. Tripathi and Anand are leading a healthy life now. The chance of surviving lung cancer is much higher if it is detected early. Increased awareness and routine check-ups are key to maintaining a check on cancer-related morbidities.