Lung Cancer Treatments by Stage

Lung Cancer Treatments by Stage

Occult Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Tests are done to find the main tumor (cancer). Lung cancer that is found at this early stage can usually be cured by surgery. Tests may include the following:

• -Chest x-ray: An x-ray of the organs and bones inside the chest. An x-ray is a type of energy beam that can go through the body and onto film, making a picture of areas inside the body.
• -Bronchoscopy: A procedure to look inside the trachea and large airways in the lung for abnormal areas. A bronchoscope (a thin, lighted tube) is inserted through the nose or mouth into the trachea and lungs. Tissue samples may be taken for biopsy.
• -CT scan (CAT scan): A procedure that makes a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body, taken from different angles. The pictures are made by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. A dye may be injected into a vein or swallowed to help the organs or tissues show up more clearly. This procedure is also called computed tomography, computerized tomography, or computerized axial tomography.

Stage 0 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Treatment of stage 0 non-small cell lung cancer may include the following:

• -Surgery to remove a small portion of the lung where the cancer cells are found.
• -Clinical trials of photodynamic therapy using an endoscope.

• -Surgery to remove a small portion of the lung or a lobe of the lung.
• -External radiation therapy (for patients who cannot have surgery or choose not to have surgery).
• -Chemotherapy following surgery.
• -Clinical trials of chemoprevention following other therapy.
• -Clinical trials of photodynamic therapy using an endoscope.

This summary section refers to specific treatments under study in clinical trials, but it may not mention every new treatment being studied. Information about ongoing clinical trials is available from the NCI Web site. Stage II Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Treatment of stage II non-small cell lung cancer may include the following:

• -Surgery to remove the tumor (a small portion of the lung, a lobe of the lung, or an entire lung).
• -External radiation therapy (for patients who cannot have surgery or choose not to have surgery).
• -Chemotherapy with or without other treatments following surgery.
• -Clinical trials of external radiation therapy following surgery.

This summary section refers to specific treatments under study in clinical trials, but it may not mention every new treatment being studied. Information about ongoing clinical trials is available from the NCI Web site. Stage III Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (Stages IIIA and IIIB)

Treatment of stage IIIA non-small cell lung cancer may include the following:

• Surgery alone.
• External radiation therapy alone.
• Chemotherapy combined with other treatments.
• Surgery and external radiation therapy.
• Clinical trials of radiation therapy and combined treatments.

Treatment of stage IIIB non-small cell lung cancer may include the following:

• External radiation therapy alone.
• Chemotherapy combined with external radiation therapy.
• Chemotherapy combined with external radiation therapy, followed by surgery.
• Chemotherapy alone.

Clinical trials of radiation therapy and combined treatments.

This summary section refers to specific treatments under study in clinical trials, but it may not mention every new treatment being studied. Information about ongoing clinical trials is available from the NCI Web site. Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Treatment of stage IV non-small cell lung cancer may include the following:

External radiation therapy as palliative therapy, to relieve pain and other symptoms and improve the quality of life.

Chemotherapy.

Laser therapy and/or internal radiation therapy.

Clinical trials of chemotherapy.