Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment
Upon receiving a non-small cell lung cancer diagnosis, patients may choose from a variety of treatment options. The most effective course of treatment will vary depending on the stage of the cancer, or the extent of spreading.
The primary risk factors for NSCLC include smoking and exposure to asbestos. Smoking is by far the leading cause of lung cancer, resulting in 85 to 90 percent of all lung cancer deaths. Non-small cell lung cancer can arise in non-smokers after exposure to asbestos, a naturally-forming toxic mineral commonly found at many jobsites.
Have you developed non-small cell lung cancer as a result of asbestos exposure? If so, complete the form on this page to receive a free informational packet with details about treatment options, choosing your doctor, and a variety of other support services.
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer, accounting for between 80 and 90 percent of all lung cancer cases.
- Squamous cell (epidermoid) carcinoma
- Adenocarcinoma
- Large cell (undifferentiated) carcinoma
Doctors find these subtypes useful in a clinical setting because similarities in their growth patterns help determine the preferred course of treatment.
Treatment Options for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
When treated in the earliest stages, lung cancer patients are eligible for potentially curative treatments like surgery and radiation therapy. In more advanced cases, doctors prefer palliative treatments that focus on alleviating symptoms to improve quality of life. Because lung cancer accounts for roughly 15 percent of all cancers, tremendous research has been conducted to improve non-small cell lung cancer treatments.
After a biopsy or similar diagnostic test confirms the presence of NSCLC, you should discuss the available treatment options with your doctor. The most common treatments for lung cancer include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation treatment, photodynamic therapy, or some combination of these procedures. The following treatments can be either curative or palliative, depending on the stage of your cancer:
Surgery
If non-small cell lung cancer has not spread beyond the initial tumor, surgery is often the most effective treatment option. This procedure provides the opportunity to eliminate the cancer by removing the primary tumor and surrounding tissue.
- Resection – The removal of the tumor and a small portion of surrounding lung tissue.
- Lobectomy –An entire cancerous section, or lobe, of the lung is removed.
- Pneumonectomy –The surgical removal of an entire lung.
If the cancer cells are completely removed and did not spread prior to surgery, non-small cell lung cancer can be completely cured. Cancer recurrence is common, but can be prevented with post-surgery chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy
If surgery does not eliminate the cancer, or if the doctor believes additional treatment is necessary, chemotherapy may be the next preferred option. This procedure uses drugs to kill cancer cells throughout the body while stopping new cancer cells from growing. Chemotherapy is often used to treat the later stages of non-small cell lung cancer. It can also be used to complement other methods such as surgery and radiation therapy.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy utilizes X-rays or other forms of radiation to kill cancer cells. This method targets specific locations and is most effective when used to treat early stage cancers. The process of radiation therapy usually occurs over the course of several weeks and is often performed as an additional treatment to either surgery, chemotherapy or both.
Photodynamic Therapy
Also commonly used to treat mesothelioma, Photodynamic therapy uses a combination of light and drugs to destroy cancer cells. The procedure begins when a doctor injects a photosensitizing agent, or light-sensitive medication, into the bloodstream. Within the next one to three days, the drug travels throughout the entire body and is absorbed by cancer cells. The doctor then uses light energy to focus on the areas where the drug has gathered. The light causes the photosensitizing agent to release a toxic substance that kills cancer cells.
In actuality the drugs are absorbed by all cells, but remain in cancerous cells longer than healthy cells. If therapy is performed 24 to 72 hours after the photosensitizing agent is injected, cancer cells are often destroyed with limited damage done to normal cells.
Multimodal Therapy
In certain cases of non-small cell lung cancer, doctors will recommend a combination of treatments known as multimodal therapy. This approach typically involves some combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The order in which each treatment is given will vary depending on the stage of the cancer and its extent of spreading.
In the later stages of non-small cell lung cancer, doctors prefer chemotherapy with simultaneous radiation therapy. Known as combined chemoradiation therapy, this treatment approach has yielded survival rates higher than either treatment given alone or in succession.
Clinical Trials and Experimental Treatments
In addition to the standard treatments for non-small cell lung cancer, patients may receive experimental treatments by participating in research studies known as clinical trials. In order to ensure that new drugs and treatments are safe, they must first be tested in a controlled environment on a select group of patients. Clinical trials test the effectiveness of new treatments, varying drug dosages or different combinations of treatments.
For example, an experimental drug known as Cabazitaxel-XRP6258 is currently being evaluated for non-small cell lung cancer treatment. The clinical trial, conducted collectively by a pharmaceutical company and a research university, strives to demonstrate that the drug is safe for the general public. As with any experimental treatment, there are risks and potential side effects for participants to consider. Conversely, there is also the potential for curative benefits, providing the patient with a new quality of life and the hope of becoming cancer free.
Determining the Right Treatment for You
Non-small cell lung cancer should be treated according to the details of each patient's unique situation. Multiple factors will strongly influence how the cancer is treated. Doctors may recommend a specific treatment regimen for one patient while providing a completely different recommendation to another. The most important factors doctors consider before suggesting the right treatment for you include your:
- Age, gender and overall health
- Symptoms
- Cancer's cell type
- Cancer's stage
- Tumor's location and extent of spreading
Upon careful consideration of these factors, your doctor will suggest a treatment plan that offers the highest chance of success. Before making a decision, you and your doctor should discuss each option's intended goal and any side effects you may experience during and after treatment.
Possible Side Effects of NSCLC Treatment
Non-small cell lung cancer patients should always consider the risks and possible side effects associated with treatment. Depending on the type of treatment that you receive and how your body reacts, side effects may vary from slight discomfort to fatigue or pain. It is highly recommended that you meet with your doctor to compare the benefits and risks of treatment to your predetermined post-treatment goals.
According to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, patients often experience pain after conventional surgery. The level of pain will vary from patient to patient and the extent of surgery. After surgery, patients may also experience an increased risk for wound infections, shortness of breath and bleeding.
If you receive radiation therapy for NSCLC, you can expect side effects like fatigue or shortness of breath. After chemotherapy, some patients experience hair loss, fatigue, mouth sores or a variety of other side effects. Because chemotherapy reduces your white blood cell count, you also may be more prone to infections. This can result in fevers and related issues. If any of these side effects arise and seem serious, you should contact your doctor immediately.
Doctor Match Program
Finding the best doctor and treatment center for your specific situation can be difficult. If you have been diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer and have not yet received medical attention, please complete the form on this page to request help with finding a doctor. One of the Mesothelioma Center's Patient Advocates will contact you and help match you with a qualified doctor in your area free of charge.
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Last Modified Thursday, May 17th, 2012 | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy |
The information provided by The Mesothelioma Center is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
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