78-year-old woman with lung cancer metastasized to the liver

Ms. Thanh, 78 years old, had been coughing and having difficulty breathing for two weeks due to lung cancer metastasizing to her liver. The doctor used a combination of two chemicals to help control the disease.

CT scan results at Tam Anh General Hospital recorded a large tumor in the right hilum and mediastinum, with many lesions of the right lung parenchyma. MSc. Dr. Luu Thao Ngoc, Department of Oncology, said the tumor compressed the airways, causing long-lasting respiratory symptoms.

Abdominal ultrasound detected additional liver damage suspected of metastasis. Although the pleural fluid aspiration results were not enough to determine cancer, a liver biopsy along with histopathology and immunohistochemistry tests determined that Ms. Thanh had widespread stage small cell lung cancer with liver metastases.

Lung cancer is one of the most common and leading causes of death in the world. The disease is divided into two main groups: non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer.

According to Dr. Ngoc, small cell lung cancer only accounts for about 10-15% of lung cancer cases, but this type has a high proliferation rate, easily invades nearby structures and metastasizes early to the liver, brain, bones or adrenal glands. A special feature of small cell lung cancer is that it is often sensitive to chemotherapy in the early stages of treatment, helping to control symptoms, shrink tumors and improve the patient’s quality of life.

The doctor prescribed treatment with a combination regimen of two chemicals. After three treatment cycles, Ms. Thanh’s symptoms decreased. CT scan results evaluating treatment effectiveness showed that lesions in the lungs and liver had shrunk significantly. The patient will continue to receive chemotherapy for three more cycles, closely monitored and periodically assessed treatment response so that doctors can develop appropriate treatment strategies in the next stages.

Dr. Ngoc recommends that patients should not be subjective with prolonged respiratory symptoms such as persistent cough for more than 2-3 weeks, difficulty breathing, wheezing, chest pain, and unexplained weight loss. People with a history of smoking for many years and regularly exposed to cigarette smoke, dust and toxic chemicals need to have regular check-ups and screenings according to a doctor’s advice. Early detection not only helps increase the chance of effective treatment but also improves the quality of life and prognosis for lung cancer patients.