Lung cancer remains one of the most serious cancers in men and women. Most lung cancer diagnoses are NSCLC. First line therapies usually include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of treatments.
However, not all NSCLC cases can be treated this way. Treatment advances for non-small cell lung cancer now include targeted therapies, immunotherapy, and radiofrequency ablation.
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), 84% of all lung cancer diagnoses are non-small cell lung cancer. Doctors usually plan treatment based on the stage or extent of cancer within the body. Newer treatments, such as radiosurgery ablation, targeted therapy, and immunotherapies offer a positive outlook.
If you’re interested in one of these treatments after exploring more standard therapies, ask your doctor whether these options could be right for you.
About non-small cell lung cancer
Lung cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow out of control within lung tissue. Most commonly, NSCLCs occur in people with a history of smoking. However, this type of cancer is also the most common form of lung cancer diagnosed in people who have never smoked.
The earlier NSCLC is diagnosed, the more likely treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy will be successful. If these treatments aren’t an option, it’s still possible to have a positive outcome with newer therapies.
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) benefits some people, while more personalized treatments like targeted and immunotherapies help others.
RFA may be considered for some people with smaller NSCLCs, or for those who can’t tolerate surgery. During the RFA procedure, doctors insert a thin, needle-like probe into the lung tumor itself. CT scans help guide this probe to the correct location.
When the probe is in place, an electrical current passes through it. The resulting high-energy radio waves heat the tumor and kill cancer cells.
In most cases, RFA occurs on an outpatient basis — there’s usually no need to spend the night in the hospital. It’s common to have pain at the point of insertion for a few days after the procedure and major complications are unlikely.
Targeted therapies for lung cancer
As healthcare becomes more personalized, treatments like targeted therapies are beneficial for growing numbers of people. These newer drugs target specific genetic changes in cancer cells. In most cases, they’re used for more advanced lung cancers.
Targeted drugs work in several ways. Some of these drugs prevent new blood vessels from forming and feeding lung tumors with blood, oxygen, and nutrients. Others slow or even stop the cellular division and growth of tumors.
New drugs such as these do come with possible side effects, which may include the following:
- constipation or diarrhea
- fatigue
- loss of appetite
- muscle or joint pain
- skin rash
- swelling in the hands or feet
- vision changes
- vomiting
- weight changes
Immunotherapy for lung cancer
Immunotherapies harness the power of the body’s own immune system to fight and kill cancer cells. Research suggests that immunotherapy works by:
- boosting the immune system response to slow or stop the growth of cancer cells
- increasing the effectiveness of the body’s immune system
- preventing lung cancer from spreading to other areas of the body
Many immunotherapy drugs act as checkpoint inhibitors. Within the body, immune system checkpoints prevent the immune system from attacking healthy cells. Lung cancer cells sometimes trick this system.
When this happens, the body thinks cancer cells are normal and prevents the immune system from attacking them. New checkpoint inhibitors prevent cancer cells from fooling the body. This allows the immune system to act as it should by destroying tumors in the lungs.
Side effects are also possible if you’re prescribed immunotherapy drugs. You may experience:
- constipation or diarrhea
- cough
- fatigue
- itching
- joint pain
- loss of appetite
- nausea and vomiting
- skin rash
- trouble breathing
Even if traditional NSCLC treatments aren’t an option for you, there are still other possibilities for effective treatment. Each case is different and some treatments are only available for people with specific genetic markers. For some people, a combination of treatments yields the most positive outcomes. If you’re interested in a newer therapy for lung cancer, talk with your doctor. Together, you can explore these options and decide whether they are right for you.