About 85% of lung cancer cases are non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). NSCLC starts in the larger cells in the lungs, like the ones that line the lung airways and produce mucus.
Types of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer:
- Squamous cell carcinoma, which is usually found in the middle of the lungs and forms from flat cells on the inside of lung airways. Squamous cell lung tumors are usually found in the central part of the lungs, near a main airway (bronchus). This type of NSCLC is more common in people with a history of smoking. About 25% to 30% of lung cancers are squamous cell carcinoma
- Adenocarcinoma, which occurs more frequently in women than men and grows slowly on the outside parts of the lung. It is also more common in non-smokers and younger people than other types of lung cancer. This type of lung cancer is usually found in the outer part of the lungs and is more likely to be found before it has spread. About 40% of lung cancers are adenocarcinoma
- Large cell carcinoma, a fast-growing cancer found anywhere in the lung. About 10%-15% of lung cancers are large cell carcinoma
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment Options
Treatment options for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) will vary due to several factors, such as your overall health or the condition of your lungs. The stage of your cancer can provide a good idea of how your cancer may be treated. Be sure to discuss all treatment options and any side effects with your healthcare team.
Stage 0 and Stage 1 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatments:
For many people living with Stage 0 NSCLC, where the tumor is limited to the lining layer of the airways and has not spread elsewhere, the cancer is usually curable by surgery alone. The type of surgery you receive depends on the size and location of your cancer and the condition of your lungs.
For some people living with Stage 0 NSCLC, your doctor may also discuss alternatives to surgery.
Treatment for Stage 1 NSCLC usually involves surgery as an initial treatment option, but can also include adjuvant therapies, additional treatment following surgery, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
Tumors with certain mutations may be treated with targeted therapies after surgery.
Stage 2 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatments:
Surgery is usually the initial treatment option if you are living with Stage 2 NSCLC, and can involve removing sections or the whole lung, as well as any lymph nodes that have cancer in them. Adjuvant therapy, such as chemotherapy, radiation or both, may also be recommended. Be sure to ask your doctor about biomarker testing for a more complete diagnosis and understanding of the best treatment options for your specific type of cancer.
Stage 3 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatments:
Stage 3 non-small cell lung cancer is split into Stages 3A, 3B, and 3C.
If you're living with Stage 3 NSCLC, you may be treated with:
- Surgery
- Radiation
- Chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy
- Targeted therapy
- Chemoradiation therapy (CRT)
Your healthcare team will determine what treatment is right for your Stage 3 NSCLC.
Your lung cancer may or may not be able to be removed by surgery, which could help determine other treatment options.
Certain types of NSCLC may be treated with targeted therapies after surgery. Be sure to ask your doctor about biomarker testing to determine if adjuvant treatment with targeted therapies is appropriate for you.
If surgery cannot completely remove your cancer, chemoradiation therapy may be recommended, which is a combination of chemotherapy and radiation. Immunotherapy may be recommended for people whose lung cancer has not progressed following concurrent chemoradiation therapy.
Stage 4 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatments:
Stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer is an advanced form of the disease. The treatment goal at this stage is to ease any symptoms resulting from the lung cancer and to help prevent the lung cancer from growing and spreading. It's important to understand and discuss the goals of treatment with your healthcare team before you start treatment.
People living with this stage may be treated with:
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Immunotherapy
- Targeted therapies
Because the cancer has spread at this stage, you may undergo separate treatments for lung cancer and for the other areas of your body where the cancer has spread.
Be sure to talk to your healthcare team about testing your tumor for biomarkers or gene mutations, before any treatment begins. Depending on whether you have certain mutations, your doctor may be able to start you on a targeted therapy to treat your specific type of cancer.
If you are eligible, your doctor may suggest that you consider enrolling in a clinical study, where new treatments are studied.
Regardless of the type or stage of NSCLC you're living with, it's normal if you feel overwhelmed. Remember to ask questions to your doctor and to discuss any side effects you may experience from treatments so that they can be addressed.