How is non-small cell lung cancer treated according to staging?

There are several types of treatment for early-stage non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Each person with lung cancer has different factors that need to be considered for a treatment plan, so what may be the best for one person may not be best for someone else. You and your healthcare team should discuss which choice is best for you based on the type and stage of lung cancer you have, symptoms, your preferences and any other health problems you may have.

The stage and location of your cancer helps determine the best treatment option (Tables 1 and 2).

Table 1. Treatment for Early-Stage NSCLC

Advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Advanced-stage lung cancer is defined as Stage IIIB to Stage IVB. If the cancer is at an advanced stage, it is usually not possible to remove all the cancer with surgery and the goal of treatment is to control your cancer, minimize symptoms, and extend and improve quality of life. This is usually done with a combination of therapies given separately or in combination for example, radiation therapy (RT) or systemic therapy. A number of systemic therapies are used to treat advanced lung cancer, including: 

* Chemotherapy – drugs that kill fast growing cells, including cancer cells,
* Immunotherapy – drugs that use your own immune system to kill cancer,
* Targeted therapy – drugs that target changes that are specific to your cancer cells, and
* Antibody-drug conjugates – drugs that combine the power of chemotherapy and targeted therapy.

The exact stage and location(s) of your cancer helps determine the best treatment option (Table 2).

Table 2. Treatment for Advanced Stage NSCLC

References

American Cancer Society.
Treatment Choices for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, by Stage. 2024.
Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment by Stage | American Cancer Society

NCCN Guidelines for Patients®.
Early and Locally Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. 2024.
https://www.nccn.org/patients/guidelines/content/PDF/lung-early-stage-patient.pdf

NCCN Guidelines for Patients®.
Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. 2024.
https://www.nccn.org/patients/guidelines/content/PDF/lung-metastatic-patient.pdf

Scientific Council

Neil M. Bressler, MD

James P. Gills Professor of Ophthalmology
Professor of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Medicine
Baltimore, MD

A. Paul Chous, MA, OD, FAAO

Specializing in Diabetes Eye Care & Education, Chous Eye Care Associates
Adjunct Professor of Optometry, Western University of Health Sciences
AOA Representative, National Diabetes Education Program
Tacoma, WA

Steven Ferrucci, OD, FAAO

Chief of Optometry, Sepulveda VA Medical Center
Professor, Southern California College of Optometry at Marshall B. Ketchum University
Sepulveda, CA

Julia A. Haller, MD

Ophthalmologist-in-Chief
Wills Eye Hospital
Philadelphia, PA

Allen C. Ho, MD, FACS

Director, Retina Research
Wills Eye Hospital
Professor and Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology
Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals
Philadelphia, PA

Charles C. Wykoff, MD, PhD

Director of Research, Retina Consultants of Houston
Associate Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology
Blanton Eye Institute & Houston Methodist Hospital
Houston, TX

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Clinician Scientific & Educational Resources

The RELIEF Clinical Toolkit is an online tool that aims to provide clinicians with up-to-date information on the presentation, prognosis, pathophysiology, and treatment strategies for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Click on one of the options below to learn more about ROP.

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Online resources

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This activity is provided by Med Learning Group. This activity is co-provided by Ultimate Medical Academy/Complete Conference Management (CCM). This activity is supported by an independent medical education grant from Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

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