How is non-small cell lung cancer treated?

Making treatment decisions for non-small cell lung cancer

After the cancer is found and staged, your cancer care team will discuss your treatment options with you. Depending on the stage of the disease and other factors, the main treatment options for people with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) can include:

• Surgery
• Radiation therapy
• Other local treatments
• Chemotherapy
• Targeted therapies

In many cases, more than one of these treatments is used.

You may have different types of doctors on your treatment team, depending on the stage of your cancer and your treatment options. These doctors may include:

• A thoracic surgeon: a doctor who treats diseases of the lungs and chest with surgery.
• A radiation oncologist: a doctor who treats cancer with radiation therapy.
• A medical oncologist: a doctor who treats cancer with medicines such as chemotherapy.
• A pulmonologist: a doctor who specializes in medical treatment of diseases of the lungs.

Many other specialists may be involved in your care as well, including physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, respiratory therapists, social workers, and other health professionals.

It is important to discuss all of your treatment options as well as their possible side effects with your doctors to help make the decision that best fits your needs. (See the section “What should you ask your doctor about non-small cell lung cancer?”) One of the most important factors in choosing a treatment plan is the stage of the cancer, so be sure your doctor has ordered all the tests needed to determine the cancer’s stage.

Other factors to consider include your overall health, the likely side effects of the treatment, and the probability of curing the disease, extending life, or relieving symptoms. Age alone is not a barrier to treatment. Older people can benefit from treatment as much as younger people, as long as they are in good health overall. Be sure that you understand the risks and side effects of the various treatments before making a decision.

If time permits, it is often a good idea to get a second opinion. This can provide you with more information and help you feel more confident about the treatment plan that you choose. Your doctor should be willing to help you find another cancer doctor who can give you a second opinion. If you have already had tests done, the results can be sent to the second doctor so that you will not have to have them done again.

The next few sections describe the various types of treatments used for non-small cell lung cancer. This is followed by a description of the most common approaches used for these cancers based on the stage of the cancer.