The abnormal hyperplasia of hilar lymph nodes and fibrosis of hilar structures in Chinese lung cancer patients are much more severe than those in Europe and the United States. The newly released 2012 China Tumor Registry Annual Report shows that lung cancer incidence and mortality rates in China are rapidly increasing in the age group above 40 years old, reaching a peak in the 80 years old age group. During the early years of these middle-aged and elderly lung cancer patients, whooping cough and tuberculosis are common lung diseases that cause abnormal growth of lymph nodes in the patient’s hilum. Factors such as air pollution, living environment and dietary habits also cause heavier adhesions and more calcifications in the hilar lymph nodes in Chinese than in Europeans and Americans. The abnormally enlarged lymph nodes at the hilum of the lung in the Chinese population pose a great risk for surgery. The walls of the vessels at the hilar region are very thin, only 1/4 of the thickness of the peripheral blood vessels such as the thighs. When separating the extravascularly adherent lymph nodes, the slightest mistake may cause hemorrhage in the chest cavity and endanger the patient’s life. The “Chinese” surgical method, which won the second prize of the 2012 National Science and Technology Progress Award, solves the “Chinese” problem. The most dangerous place is also the safest place. When the vascular sheath of the pulmonary hilum is opened, the lymph nodes attached to it are detached. This is like taking off the outermost layer of the blood vessel’s dirt-soaked “coat”. In order to facilitate lymph node dissection, a one-way “tunneling” approach has been developed in China, and improvements in surgical steps and techniques have made thoracoscopic surgery faster, less bleeding, and more thorough in the treatment of tumors. Tips The relative risk of lung cancer for smokers is 10 to 20 times higher than that for non-smokers. In addition to staying away from cigarettes, healthy living and eating habits are also important. Early symptoms of lung cancer are easily confused with general tuberculosis, such as persistent cough for more than 3 weeks, sputum with blood (especially blood sputum) and unexplained chest pain, etc., which should be seen promptly.