Your lung cancer treatment plan will be developed specifically for you, based on your cancer’s stage, type, and whether you are able to undergo surgery. Lung cancer treatment often involves several therapeutic approaches and it’s important that your treatment plan is developed by a team of experts, with high-volume experience and current knowledge of how the latest therapies may benefit you.
Your treatment may include:
- Surgery to remove the portion of lung and affected lymph nodes that contain cancer.
- Endobronchial treatment to open airways, improve ability to breathe and treat tumors without surgery.
- Radiation therapy to target cancer cells that may remain after surgery or to treat cancer in patients unable to have surgery.
- Chemotherapy to kill cancer cells anywhere in the body.
- Targeted therapy to find and kill cancer cells that have a specific unique feature, such a a protein or mutation, that healthy cells do not.
- Photodynamic therapy (PDT) to kill cancer cells by sensitizing them to a specific type of light.
- Immunotherapy to help the body recognize and attack cancer cells.
- Microwave ablation to use heat to destroy (ablate) cancer in patients unable to have surgery.
- Clinical trials of the newest approaches to maximize your survival and quality of life.
We encourage you to review your treatment options carefully and ask questions of your care team until you feel confident in your decision.
Making an informed decision
As a comprehensive cancer center that’s designated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Roswell Park has treatments unavailable to other providers. We understand how this can be reassuring but also overwhelming. We are committed to providing you with the information you need to make an informed decision about your treatment.
Important points to consider as you evaluate your options:
- Side effects. Cancer treatments often damage healthy cells and tissues along with the cancer cells, so side effects are common. These side effects vary depending on the type and extent of treatment, and from one patient to the next. Knowing what to expect prior to treatment will allow you to be proactive in managing side effects or, taking quality of life into consideration, may also help you rule out particular treatment options.
- Second opinion. Before starting treatment, you may want a second opinion about the diagnosis, the stage of cancer and the treatment plan. Some insurance companies require a second opinion; others may cover a second opinion if requested. Gathering medical records and arranging to see another doctor may take a little time. In most cases, a brief delay does not make treatment less effective.