How is NSCLC treated? Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, or NSCLC for short, has various treatment options. Doctors often recommend surgery to remove the affected lung tissue and help patients recover. After surgery chemotherapy might be used to kill any remaining cancer cells in the body. Radiation therapy can also target and destroy cancer cells that are hard to reach.
Targeted therapy offers a different approach by focusing on specific parts of cancer cells. These treatments may stop the growth and spread of tumors effectively. Immunotherapy is another option where your own immune system gets a boost to fight off cancer better. Your doctor will talk with you about which treatments are right for your case.
Remember every person’s situation with NSCLC is unique so treatment plans will vary greatly from one individual to another. It’s important to have open talks with your healthcare team about all possible options available for you. They will guide you based on your health needs and preferences.
Surgery
When treating NSCLC surgery can be a key step for many patients. The goal is to remove the cancerous tissue from the lung. This option works best when the cancer has not spread far. Types of surgery like resection and lobectomy are common choices.
Resection involves taking out a part of the lung where cancer lives. If it’s small only a section may be removed; this is called a segmental or wedge resection. A lobectomy, on the other hand, removes an entire lobe of the lung. It’s often preferred if doctors think they can take out all of the tumor.
For larger or more central tumors pneumonectomy might be necessary. This means removing an entire lung and is used less often than lobectomy due to higher risks involved. Your treatment team will help decide if this is needed based on your specific case of NSCLC.
Recovery from lung cancer surgery varies from person to person. You’ll stay in hospital for some time after your operation to recover safely under care supervision. Many people do well long term if their NSCLC was caught early and treated with effective surgical options.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy, often called chemo, is a common treatment for NSCLC. It uses drugs to kill cancer cells throughout the body. Chemo can be given after surgery to clear any leftover cancer cells. It’s sometimes used before surgery too to shrink tumors and make them easier to remove.
The process of chemotherapy is done in cycles. A cycle involves taking the drug therapy for a period then having a rest break. This pattern helps your body recover from the side effects of chemo before the next dose begins. How many cycles you need depends on how well your cancer responds.
Side effects are an important part of chemotherapy to consider with lung cancer treatment options. These can include fatigue, nausea, hair loss, and increased risk of infection among others. Your healthcare team will help manage these side effects as best they can during your treatment journey.
Drug therapy for NSCLC might involve one or more types of chemo drugs used together. Doctors choose based on what works best for your kind of lung cancer and health needs. They’ll talk with you about which combinations offer you the most benefit while considering potential impacts on quality of life.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is another way to treat NSCLC. It uses high energy rays, much like X-rays, to kill cancer cells. This treatment can target specific areas where the cancer is located in your lungs. For those who can’t have surgery radiation often becomes a main form of treatment.
External beam radiation is the most common type for lung cancer. Here a machine sends rays directly into the tumor from outside your body. You don’t feel pain during this process; it’s similar to getting an X-ray done. Treatment sessions are short and happen over several weeks for best results.
Side effects from radiation may include tiredness and skin changes at the site treated with rays. Some people might also have a cough or trouble swallowing if their throat area gets affected. Your care team will help manage these side effects and keep you as comfortable as possible throughout your treatments.
Targeted Therapy
Targeted therapy is a newer form of treatment for NSCLC. It uses drugs designed to attack specific parts of cancer cells. By focusing on genes or proteins that help these cells grow the drugs can stop them from spreading. These treatments work best if your cancer has certain genetic mutations.
Mutation testing is important before starting targeted therapy. This test finds out if your cancer has changes in its DNA that these drugs can target. If you have these changes, like an EGFR mutation, targeted therapy could be more effective than chemotherapy alone. How is NSCLC treated
EGFR inhibitors are one type of targeted drug used in biological therapy for lung cancer. They block the action of a protein called EGFR which helps NSCLC cells grow and divide. When this protein’s action stops it may slow down or even stop tumor growth. How is NSCLC treated
Another advantage of targeted therapies is potentially fewer side effects compared to traditional chemo. Since they focus on specific targets rather than all rapidly dividing cells they might cause less harm to normal healthy cells in your body.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a form of treatment for NSCLC that enhances your immune system’s ability to fight cancer. It works by helping the body’s natural defenses recognize and attack lung cancer cells. This approach can be particularly useful when other treatments have not been successful. Often immunotherapy is considered for advanced stages of NSCLC.
One common type of immunotherapy uses drugs known as immune checkpoint inhibitors. These drugs help to remove the ‘brakes’ on your immune system that sometimes prevent it from attacking cancer cells effectively. By doing so they allow your immune system to work harder at targeting and destroying these harmful cells.
PD 1 inhibitors are another class within this type of therapy used in treating lung cancer. They specifically block a pathway that shields tumor cells from being detected by the immune system. As with all treatments, there are potential side effects associated with immunotherapy which may include fatigue, skin rash or autoimmune reactions among others. Your healthcare team will monitor you closely and manage any side effects experienced during treatment duration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the first steps after being diagnosed with NSCLC?
After a diagnosis your doctor will discuss treatment options based on factors like cancer stage and overall health. They might suggest tests to find out more about your specific type of lung cancer.
Can NSCLC be cured with treatment?
While some cases may be curable, especially if caught early, many treatments aim to control the disease long term and improve quality of life.
How long does treatment for NSCLC typically last?
Treatment durations vary widely depending on the chosen methods and how well they work for you. Your healthcare team will tailor this timeline to your individual needs.
