Thanks to annual low-dose CT lung scans, Mr V.V.M., who has a history of over 50 years of smoking, was diagnosed with a 1.2 cm lung tumour. Suspecting early-stage lung cancer, doctors at FV Hospital recommended a lobectomy and lymph node dissection. Post-surgery results confirmed the diagnosis as stage 1 lung cancer.

Doctors at FV Hospital emphasize that regular lung cancer screenings with low-dose CT scans are crucial for smokers, as they enable early detection, increase the chances of  successful treatment and help reduce healthcare costs.

Lobectomy and lymph node dissection were performed through endoscopy, maximising the preservation of the patient’s respiratory system.

Mr V.V.M., 73 years old and residing in Quang Ninh, has been smoking tobacco since his twenties. Despite multiple attempts by his family to encourage him to quit, he was unsuccessful. In recent years, his son ensured he underwent annual health check-ups, including lung cancer screening through low-dose CT scans.

During his routine screening in December 2024, doctors detected a 1.2 cm solitary ground-glass nodule in his lung. Based on imaging diagnostics and medical literature, particularly in long-term smokers like Mr M., the nodule had a 70% likelihood of being lung cancer.

After a multidisciplinary consultation, the doctors opted for a selective lobectomy and lymph node dissection through endoscopy. “For an elderly patient with chronic conditions and a long history of smoking, the family requested a minimally invasive surgical method that would completely remove the tumour while preserving as much lung tissue as possible to maximise respiratory function,” said Vu Truong Son, MD, MSc, Medical Director at FV Hospital.

The experts at FV Hospital performed the selective lobectomy using endoscopy. The 60-minute procedure involved marking the affected lung lobe with CT guidance before successfully removing it. Biopsy results confirmed stage 1 non-small cell lung cancer. Tests on the surrounding tissue and mediastinal lymph nodes showed benign results with no signs of metastasis. The final diagnosis was non-small cell lung cancer at a very early stage (T1N0M0). The surgery successfully treated the tumour at a very early stage and completely removed it, ensuring a 100% survival rate. Doctors estimated that if the cancer had been detected at a later stage, such as stage 2, the surgery would have been more complex, the survival rate would have dropped to around 60%, and treatment costs would have increased more than tenfold.

Before the surgery, Mr M. was very anxious. As a long-time tobacco user, he was shocked when the doctors informed him about the tumour and its 70% likelihood of being lung cancer. In response, he decided to quit smoking by symbolically splitting a tobacco pipe in half. To his relief, the surgery went smoothly, and his recovery was swift.

“I often follow the news on TV and have seen many cases where lung cancer patients undergo surgery and suffer from infections, bleeding, and breathing difficulties, so I was very worried before the surgery. Fortunately, at FV Hospital, I was treated by skilled doctors and experienced modern treatment technology. The surgery was quick, with minimal bleeding, no infection, and I recovered quickly!” Mr V.V.M. happily shared before being discharged from the hospital.

The importance of early screening in increasing the chances of successful lung cancer treatment.

Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of death. Dr Vu Truong Son, Medical Director at FV Hospital, advises individuals who smoke tobacco, including both active and passive smokers, as well as those who have quit smoking, and those regularly exposed to smoke from cooking, vehicle exhaust, charcoal stoves, glass blowers, and blacksmithing, to undergo regular health check-ups. He particularly recommends annual low-dose chest CT scans and consultations with pulmonary specialists, which increases the chances of early detection and successful treatment, as seen in the case of Mr V.V.M.

“Early lung cancer screening helps detect and address the disease at an early stage, making the surgery simpler and postoperative care easier. This ensures better health for patients and reduces treatment costs. Moreover, when less lung tissue is removed, lung function is less affected, leading to a better quality of life post-surgery,” Dr Son emphasised.

FV Hospital is among the leading medical institutions offering early-stage lung cancer screening packages. The hospital employs advanced technology for early detection and diagnosis, including low-dose CT, pulmonary function tests, needle biopsy, ultrasound-guided endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS), navigation-guided ultrasound techniques, colour marking of lesions (ICG). Additionally, along with modern diagnostic techniques such as histopathological and immunohistochemical staining, and advanced gene mutation testing.

In addition, FV Hospital conducts seminars to raise awareness about early lung cancer screening and treatment for the community.

According to Dr Vu Truong Son, the choice of lung cancer treatment depends on the stage of the disease and may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and more. One notable method is video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS), a minimally invasive technique with an incision of only 1.5-3cm, leading to fewer complications, reduced pain, and higher success rates. At FV Hospital, this technique is performed by both Singaporean and Vietnamese doctors through the collaborative doctor programme at Thoracic, Vascular & Endovascular Surgery Department.

According to Dr Son, lung cancer treatment requires a multidisciplinary approach involving collaboration across multiple specialties. At FV Hospital, all cancer cases are reviewed by multi-disciplinary tumour boards, which include oncologists, radiologists, surgical specialists, and pathologists. Additionally, post-surgery care involves a comprehensive process of monitoring, treatment evaluation, recurrence prevention, and patient education. This ensures that patients receive holistic care through the Thoracic, Vascular & Endovascular Surgery Department and the Hy Vong Cancer Centre at FV Hospital.

For more information on lung cancer screening and treatment, please contact the Thoracic, Vascular & Endovascular Surgery Department at FV Hospital at (028) 54 11 33 33.