Lung Cancer Treatment

Lung cancer treatments can vary depending on the type and stage of the cancer, as well as the overall health of the patient. The primary treatments for lung cancer include:

• Surgery: Surgical removal of the tumor is a common treatment for early-stage lung cancer. The extent of the surgery may range from a wedge resection (removing a small portion of the lung) to a lobectomy (removing an entire lobe of the lung) or pneumonectomy (removing an entire lung). Surgery may not be an option for some patients with advanced disease.
• Radiation therapy: This treatment uses high-energy rays to target and kill cancer cells. It can be used alone, before surgery to shrink tumors, or after surgery to kill remaining cancer cells.
• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy involves the use of drugs to kill cancer cells or slow their growth. It can be administered before or after surgery, or as the primary treatment for advanced-stage lung cancer.
• Targeted therapy: Targeted therapies are drugs that specifically target the molecular changes in cancer cells. These therapies are mainly used for certain types of non-small cell lung cancer with specific genetic mutations.
• Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy drugs, like checkpoint inhibitors, work by enhancing the body's immune system to fight cancer cells. They have shown effectiveness in treating some advanced-stage lung cancers, particularly in patients with high PD-L1 expression.
• Palliative care: Palliative care focuses on providing relief from the symptoms and side effects of lung cancer and improving the quality of life for patients. It can be used in conjunction with curative treatments or as the primary approach for patients with advanced or terminal lung cancer.