Lung cancer is a common form of cancer in Hong Kong. Of the new cancer cases recorded in 2023, 6,111 were lung cancer cases, accounting for 16.1% of all new cancer cases. There were 3,576 cases among men and 2,535 among women, with a male-to-female patient ratio of approximately 1.4 to 1.

Because the early symptoms of lung cancer are often subtle, many patients are diagnosed at an intermediate or advanced stage, or even with stage IV lung cancer. Lung cancer is primarily classified into non-small cell lung cancer, NSCLC, (accounting for approximately 85%) and small cell lung cancer, SCLC, (accounting for approximately 15%).The TNM staging system described below is primarily used for NSCLC; in clinical practice, SCLC is also commonly described as limited-stage or extensive-stage disease.

At OncoCare, we understand the stress you and your family face when dealing with concerns about a potential diagnosis. Our oncologists provide comprehensive support throughout the entire process—from initial evaluation and personalised treatment plans to recovery or follow-up care. No matter what stage you’re at, we’ll be right by your side.

Understanding the causes of lung cancer can help with early prevention and health management. The following are the main risk factors for lung cancer:

Smoking and Secondhand Smoke: Smoking is one of the most important and preventable risk factors for lung cancer. The exact proportion varies across populations, but smoking is strongly associated with a large proportion of lung cancer cases. Long-term exposure to secondhand smoke also increases the risk among non-smokers.

Environmental and Occupational Exposure: Long-term exposure to air pollution, asbestos (widely used as a building material), or other toxins (such as the radioactive gas radon).

Genetics and Medical History: Most cases result from sporadic mutations, and only in rare instances are they associated with hereditary genetic mutations. Furthermore, the risk increases with age or a history of conditions such as emphysema.

After diagnosis, accurately assessing the stage of lung cancer is central to developing a personalized treatment plan. Doctors typically use the TNM system (which evaluates tumour size, lymph node involvement, and distant metastasis) for staging, where:

• Tumour (T) — Describes the size of the primary tumour and the extent of local invasion. Smaller tumours may fall into the T1 category, while T4 may indicate a tumour larger than 7 cm, invasion into important nearby structures such as the mediastinum, heart, major blood vessels, trachea, oesophagus, or spine, or separate tumour nodules in a different lobe of the same lung.

• Lymph nodes (N) — Describes whether the tumour has spread to nearby lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are classified into several stages, ranging from stage N0 (no lymph node spread) to stage N3 (cancer has spread to lymph nodes on the opposite side of the chest or in the clavicular region).

• Metastasis (M) — Describes whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body outside the lungs. Metastasis is graded from M0 (no spread) to M1c (the cancer has spread to distant organs).

Lung cancer is generally classified into the following stages:

• Early-stage (Stages I and II): The tumour is mainly confined to the lung or nearby area. With early detection and appropriate treatment, the prognosis is usually favorable.

• Locally advanced disease (some Stage II and stage III): The cancer may have spread to nearby lymph nodes or tissues within the chest but may not have distant metastasis.

• Stage IV lung cancer (metastatic lung cancer): The cancer has spread to distant parts of the body, such as the bones, liver, brain, or adrenal glands.

Receiving a diagnosis of advanced or stage IV lung cancer is often unsettling. However, modern oncology has shifted its focus toward “living with cancer” and maintaining quality of life. Through the involvement of multidisciplinary medical teams and the use of comprehensive treatment plans—including genetic mutation testing, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and palliative care—advanced-stage patients can receive more effective disease management and care.

Diagnosing lung cancer involves several tests. You may need a bronchoscopy, which allows the doctor to directly examine your lungs; a mediastinoscopy, which uses a tube inserted through your neck and into the side of your windpipe to examine the mediastinum (the area between the two lungs); or a lung biopsy, in which a sample of tissue is removed from the tumour for testing.

Further tests may also be necessary to determine whether the cancer has spread to parts of the body outside the lungs. These tests include CT scans and virtual bronchoscopy, PET scans, or MRI.

When it comes to lung cancer, we are committed to providing you with a patient-centered, personalized medical experience:

• Early Screening, Early Detection, Early Treatment: Family medicine specialists provide personalized pre- and post-screening consultations for lung health, ensuring continuity of care throughout the process and offering personalized health recommendations based on your lifestyle and risk factors.

• High-Privacy Consultation Environment: Our clinics are conveniently located in Central and Tsim Sha Tsui, offering you a comfortable and highly private specialist care setting.

• Experienced Medical Team: Clinical oncologists will personally oversee your assessment and care.

• Multidisciplinary Comprehensive Approach: We combine expertise from various specialties with evidence-based advanced technologies to tailor the most appropriate treatment plan for you.

• Supporting the Whole Family: We understand that cancer affects the entire family. Our team provides full support throughout the journey—from diagnosis and treatment to recovery or follow-up care—ensuring peace of mind for both patients and caregivers.