13 May 2025

We are delighted to hear that Malaysia’s first clinical practice guidelines for lung cancer were published at the third annual National Lung Cancer Symposium in Kuala Lumpur on 26 April 2025.

Lung Cancer Network Malaysia (LCNM) – which is also a member organisation of the Lung Cancer Policy Network – launched the clinical practice guidelines it developed for the peri-operative management of resectable early-stage non-small cell lung cancer.

The publication provides local recommendations regarding best practices for:

  • screening
  • diagnosis and staging
  • therapeutic management
  • operative procedures and post-resection surveillance.

Professor Anand Sachithanandan, Network member and Chair of the expert working group that developed the guidelines, noted:

‘People living with lung cancer in Malaysia should expect to receive high-quality and timely care irrespective of where or with whom they seek treatment. These guidelines will further elevate and standardise such care, in addition to serving as an educational tool for training younger specialists.’

According to the Malaysia National Cancer Registry Report, 2017-2021, lung cancer is the second most common cancer in men, and the third most common cancer in women. Approximately 95% of all lung cancer cases in Malaysia are detected in advanced stages (III or IV), where treatment options are limited and expected survival is poorest.

It is hoped the guidelines will improve and standardise the management of people living with lung cancer in Malaysia, and serve as a valuable educational and training resource for relevant healthcare professionals. In turn, this will promote the integration of care, aimed at improving both outcomes for people with lung cancer and their quality of life, using the latest evidence.

The publication of these guidelines coincides with a landmark resolution for lung health that has been spearheaded by the Malaysian Ministry of Health for consideration at the World Health Assembly later this month. These activities exemplify the efforts being made to make lung cancer a national and global health priority so as to begin tackling the multitude of challenges the disease poses to individuals and health systems.

The guidelines have been endorsed by the Malaysian Oncological Society; Malaysian Thoracic Society; Malaysian Association of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery; and the College of Surgeons, Academy of Medicine Malaysia. A summary of the guidelines is available here, with the full guidelines soon to be made available as a free download here.

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