Disease & Drug Information

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment Options

Occult Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Treatment of occult non-small cell lung cancer depends on where the cancer has spread. It can usually be cured by surgery.

Stage 0

Treatment of stage 0 may include the following:

  • Surgery (wedge resection or segmental resection).
  • Photodynamic therapy using an endoscope.
  • Electrocautery, cryosurgery, or laser surgery using an endoscope.

Stage I

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

  • Surgery (wedge resection, segmental resection, sleeve resection, or lobectomy).
  • External radiation therapy (for patients who cannot have surgery or choose not to have surgery).
  • A clinical trial of surgery followed by chemoprevention.

Stage II

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

  • Surgery (wedge resection, segmental resection, sleeve resection, lobectomy, or pneumonectomy).
  • External radiation therapy (for patients who cannot have surgery or choose not to have surgery).
  • Surgery followed by chemotherapy.

Stage III

Treatment of stage IIIA non-small cell lung cancer that can be removed with surgery may include surgery followed by chemotherapy.

Treatment of stage IIIA non-small cell lung cancer that cannot be removed with surgery may include the following:

  • Chemotherapy combined with radiation therapy.
  • External radiation therapy alone (for patients who cannot be treated with combined therapy).

Some stage IIIA non-small cell lung tumors that have grown into the chest wall may be completely removed. Treatment of chest wall tumors may include the following:

  • Surgery.
  • Surgery and radiation therapy.
  • Radiation therapy alone.
  • Chemotherapy combined with radiation therapy and/or surgery.

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

  • Chemotherapy combined with external radiation therapy.
  • External radiation therapy as palliative therapy, to relieve pain and other symptoms and improve the quality of life.

Stage IV

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.
  • Combination chemotherapy.
  • Combination chemotherapy and targeted therapy.
  • Laser therapy and/or internal radiation therapy using an endoscope.