Lung cancer is the leading cancer killer in Taiwan. The clinical outcome for lung cancer is related to the stage at diagnosis. As a result, screening is very important. In 2011, the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) demonstrated that lung cancer screening with low-dose chest CT scans produced a 20% reduction in mortality from lung cancer.
More and more patients with early stage lung cancer are found by low-dose chest CT scans. Surgical resection by an experienced surgeon is the treatment of choice for patients with clinical stage I or II NSCLC (Non-small cell lung cancer) who are able to tolerate the procedure. Thoracic surgical approaches have changed over recent years with advancements in minimally invasive approaches.
Subjective measures of quality of life after video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS), such as pain level and perceived functional recovery, consistently and reproducibly favor VATS over thoracotomy. Objective measures such as functional status as measured by 6-minute walk, return to work, and ability to tolerate chemotherapy also favor VATS over thoracotomy. Finally, recovery of respiratory function occurs earlier in patients undergoing VATS.
It’s my pleasure to be invited here talking about the minimally invasive surgery in lung cancer. I would like to share our experience about minimal invasive procedures using in diagnosis, staging, treatment, management of complications and even hospice care for lung cancer patients. |
