Cancer

Lung Adenocarcinoma: Survival Rates, Early Signs, Causes & Treatment

Author Bowtie Team

Updated on 2025-11-24

Disclaimer: This article is translated with the assistance of AI.

Lung adenocarcinoma symptoms are often subtle, leading to late-stage diagnoses and earning it the nickname “silent killer”! In fact, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in Hong Kong, with adenocarcinoma being one of the most common types. Statistics show approximately 3,000 new cases of lung adenocarcinoma are diagnosed annually in Hong Kong. The Bowtie team breaks down the causes, symptoms, prevention, and treatment of lung adenocarcinoma in an easy-to-understand way.

Lung Adenocarcinoma vs. Lung Cancer: Who’s at Risk?

What is Lung Adenocarcinoma?

Lung cancer ¹ primarily has two types: non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer . Non-small cell lung cancer is the most common type, accounting for about 85% of all lung cancers. It can be further classified into three main subtypes based on tissue structure: lung adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma.

Lung adenocarcinoma is currently the most prevalent form of lung cancer , making up approximately 50% of all lung cancer cases . It typically originates from the mutation of glandular cells lining the outer part of the lungs and bronchi, which secrete mucus. Adenocarcinoma occurs when cells in the glands surrounding an organ begin to grow uncontrollably ¹ .

Unlike other types of lung cancer, lung adenocarcinoma often develops in the outer regions of the lungs, whereas other types are usually found more centrally. This cancer also tends to grow slower than other lung cancer types, forming smaller tumors and metastasizing at a slower rate.

According to data from the Department of Health in 2021, the ratio of male to female patients diagnosed with lung cancer was approximately 1.4:1, with the majority of new cases occurring in individuals aged 60 and above ² .

Common Causes of Lung Adenocarcinoma

Here are the common causes of lung adenocarcinoma ^3,4 :

Smoking
Secondhand smoke exposure
Family history of lung cancer
Genetic mutations
Cooking fumes
Air pollution
Exposure to certain chemicals, such as silica, asbestos, radon, heavy metals, and diesel exhaust fumes
Pre-existing lung conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Poor dietary habits, including a diet high in fat and low in antioxidants

Early Signs of Lung Adenocarcinoma

Early symptoms of lung adenocarcinoma are often subtle and difficult to detect. Patients may experience the following early signs ^4,5 :

Persistent cough
Shoulder, arm, or back pain
Swelling of the fingertips, known as “clubbing”
Shortness of breath during activity
Coughing up blood
Unexplained weight loss

Lung adenocarcinoma is often diagnosed at a late stage when it has already spread to other parts of the body. The symptoms of lung adenocarcinoma are similar to those of other types of lung cancer. The following are some later-stage symptoms ^4,5 :

Persistent or worsening cough
Coughing up blood or bloody sputum
Difficulty breathing
Chest pain, which may worsen with deep breathing, coughing, or laughing
Hoarseness when speaking
Recurrent respiratory infections, such as bronchitis or pneumonia
Wheezing without a history of asthma
Unexplained weight loss
Loss of appetite
Feeling tired or weak

High-Risk Groups for Lung Adenocarcinoma

Many people worry about developing lung adenocarcinoma. If you fall into any of the high-risk groups below, you should pay extra attention to your health ^3,4 :

Smokers, those exposed to secondhand smoke, or former smokers
A family history of lung cancer
Existing lung conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Exposure to certain chemicals or building materials due to industrial and occupational reasons, such as asbestos, nickel, uranium, chromium, arsenic, polycyclic hydrocarbons, and chloromethyl ethers
Inhaling radon (a natural gas that can accumulate in buildings)
Living in areas with severe air pollution

How is Lung Adenocarcinoma Diagnosed?

There are several methods for diagnosing lung adenocarcinoma. Your doctor may recommend different tests based on your situation. Here are some examples ^3,5,6 :

Chest X-ray
- Provides an overview of your lung condition. If the X-ray shows any abnormalities, further tests may be arranged for confirmation.
Sputum Test
- Sputum cytology can potentially identify the type of lung cancer. This involves examining sputum under a microscope for abnormal cells. This method is more commonly used for tumors growing in the airways within the lungs. However, not all lung cancer patients cough up sputum, and not all sputum samples contain cancer cells.
Bronchoscopy
- Uses an endoscope to examine the inner lining of the airways in the lungs and can collect cell samples for biopsy. This is suitable for cases where the tumor is located more centrally in the lungs. A flexible tube is inserted through the nose or mouth, passing through the bronchi to the tumor site, allowing for tissue collection for examination.
Computed Tomography (CT) Scan
- Uses X-rays and a computer to view internal body structures. Technically, it can cover areas that X-rays cannot, providing more detailed images.
Low-Dose Computed Tomography (LDCT) Scan
- Provides more detailed images than a chest X-ray. A CT scan can detect very small tumors and offer 3D images, helping to determine if the tumor has spread to nearby lymph nodes. LDCT uses a lower radiation dose than a standard CT scan, reducing the impact on the patient.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) :
- Similar to CT scans, MRI can provide detailed images of soft tissues. The difference is that MRI uses radio waves and a strong magnetic field instead of X-rays. It is often used to check if cancer cells have spread to the brain or spinal cord.

Lung Adenocarcinoma Staging Methods

The purpose of staging lung adenocarcinoma is not only for clinical assessment and determining treatment methods but also closely related to the potential outcomes after treatment. Lung adenocarcinoma is classified into stages 1 to 4 ⁶ .

	Tumor Size	Spread	Suitable Treatments
Stage 1	Tumor ranges from 3 cm to 5 cm	Tumor is confined to the primary site, has not invaded nearby tissues, and has no lymph node metastasis	Stage 1 and 2 patients can undergo surgery to remove the tumor. Some patients may require chemotherapy after surgery to reduce recurrence. Some patients, due to age or other reasons, may not be able to tolerate general anesthesia or prefer not to have surgery, opting for radiotherapy .
Stage 2	Tumor can be up to 5 to 7 cm	Tumor begins to invade nearby lymph nodes
Stage 3	Tumor size can vary, but nearby structures may be affected	Tumor has spread to lymph nodes beyond the original lung lobe, or has invaded organs such as the trachea, major blood vessels, or heart	The standard treatment for Stage 3 patients is radiotherapy and chemotherapy . Some patients may also receive immunotherapy .
Stage 4	Tumor has spread to the other lung	Tumor has spread to the other lung, or even to distant organs such as the liver, brain, bones, or adrenal glands	For Stage 4 patients with gene mutations, targeted targeted therapy will be used. If targeted therapy is ineffective or there are no gene mutations, chemotherapy and immunotherapy may be used.

Lung Adenocarcinoma Treatments

The treatment methods for lung adenocarcinoma depend on the patient’s condition and may involve a combination of therapies. Here are common treatment methods for lung adenocarcinoma ⁶ :

Surgery
- The goal of surgical treatment is to remove the primary lung tumor and local lymph nodes. For primary non-small cell lung cancer, surgical resection is currently the best treatment option. Depending on the tumor’s condition and extent of invasion, it can be a wedge resection, segmentectomy, lobectomy, or pneumonectomy.
Radiation Therapy
- Radiation therapy is often used in conjunction with surgery or chemotherapy and can be external or internal. Radiation therapy uses beams of radiation to kill cancer cells and can shrink tumors.
Chemotherapy
- This therapy uses oral or injected medications to stop the growth of cancer cells or kill them directly. In addition to killing cancer cells, it can also affect normal cells and tissues in the body. Chemotherapy is usually combined with other forms of treatment, such as surgery or radiation therapy.
Targeted Drug Therapy
- Targeted drug therapy is technically considered a form of chemotherapy. However, the mechanism by which targeted therapy drugs work differs from standard chemotherapy drugs. Targeted therapy drugs interfere with specific molecules involved in cancer cell growth and survival, known as targets. For example, specific types of genes and proteins that are particularly beneficial for cancer cell growth and spread. Targeted therapy aims to prevent these from helping cancer cells proliferate, generally without harming other normal tissues.
Immunotherapy
- Immunotherapy involves injecting special antibodies into the patient’s body. These antibodies attach to the surface of cancer cells or white blood cells, awakening the body’s immune cells to enhance their ability to detect or help white blood cells distinguish tumor-bearing cells, and subsequently attack and eliminate them.

How to Prevent Lung Adenocarcinoma

To prevent lung adenocarcinoma, you can take the following steps ⁷ :

Quit smoking / Avoid smoking
Avoid secondhand smoke
Avoid excessive exposure to carcinogenic environments. If unavoidable due to the workplace, enhance self-protection measures (clothing, masks, etc.) during work to prevent excessive contact with carcinogens.
Change cooking habits like stir-frying with hot oil, use a range hood when cooking, and ensure good ventilation.
Adjust dietary habits to be high in fiber and low in fat, consuming a variety of fruits and vegetables.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is lung adenocarcinoma metastasis common? Where does it typically spread?

Lung adenocarcinoma grows relatively slowly, and metastasis also occurs later. However, only a few individuals are diagnosed at a stage where surgical treatment is possible. When lung adenocarcinoma metastasizes, it initially invades nearby lymph nodes, pleura, pleural cavity, or ribs. Subsequently, it may spread to other distant organs, with the most common sites being bones, liver, brain, and adrenal glands ⁸ .

2. Are there any dietary restrictions for lung adenocarcinoma patients?

Lung adenocarcinoma patients should pay attention to the following dietary considerations ⁹ :

Avoid alcohol.
Avoid consuming undercooked or unpasteurized foods, such as raw eggs, ice cream, salads, and sushi.
Patients undergoing radiation therapy may experience esophageal mucosal damage, leading to difficulty swallowing:
- Avoid very coarse or hard foods; opt for stewed dishes instead of fried or pan-fried foods.
- Avoid excessively hot and irritating foods.
- Avoid alcohol, chili, mustard, cola, coffee, etc.
Patients undergoing chemotherapy may experience nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite:
- Avoid overly sweet or greasy foods, as they can induce nausea and vomiting.
Consume sufficient protein to repair cells and tissues. Aim for approximately 20 grams per meal, which is about the size of a deck of cards of chicken, fish, or other lean meats.
Eat a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables to obtain antioxidants and phytonutrients, which help protect against cell damage.
Obtain carbohydrates from whole grain sources such as brown rice, whole wheat bread, and oatmeal.
Consume healthy fats, such as avocados, nuts, and olive oil. Omega-3 fatty acids and other healthy fats help support the brain and nervous system and reduce inflammation in the body.

3. What is the survival rate for lung adenocarcinoma patients?

The survival rate for lung adenocarcinoma patients varies depending on the stage at diagnosis. Here is a comparison of the 5-year survival rates for lung adenocarcinoma patients at different stages ¹ :

Lung Adenocarcinoma	5-Year Survival Rate
Stage 1	Approximately 80% after surgery
Stage 2	Approximately 80% after surgery
Stage 3	30% to 40%
Stage 4	10%

Sources

Author

Bowtie Team

The Bowtie Life Insurance Company Limited is an authorized life insurance company and Hong Kong’s very first virtual insurer approved. Through the use of modern technology and medical expertise, Bowtie offers an agent-free, commission-free and more convenient online platform for customers to quote, apply and claim for Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme (VHIS) anytime anywhere. Bowtie is ranked first in the direct channel sales throughout 2021. Stay up to date at www.bowtie.com.hk