A variety of factors influence how our lung cancer team treats each patient’s metastatic lung cancer. Each patient’s treatment plan is designed to obtain the best possible outcomes for that patient, taking into account the specific cancer diagnosis, how advanced the cancer is, and the patient’s personal preferences.
Oligometastatic lung cancer treatment: When a patient is diagnosed with oligometastatic lung cancer, we often recommend a combination of two or more treatments:
Drug therapy: Three types of drug therapies are used to treat lung cancer:
Targeted drug therapy, which is prescribed when laboratory tests identify a treatable genetic mutation in cancer cells. A number of new targeted therapies have been introduced in recent years, including ones that target HER2 lung cancers. Most targeted drug therapies are oral medicines (pills) but some are given via an IV. Immunotherapy, or drugs that help the body’s immune system fight cancer. Chemotherapy, or drugs that fight or kill cancer cells.
Radiation therapy: Patients with oligometastatic lung cancer may receive radiation therapy to specific sites where their lung cancer has spread. The treatment is intended to kill cancer cells in those specific sites and prevent the cancer from spreading to other sites. Patients typically receive five radiation sessions, which has been shown safe and effective in reducing cancer spread.
Surgical options: When appropriate, patients with oligometastatic lung cancer may have tumors removed surgically. Our lung cancer surgeons are experts at performing robotic and other minimally invasive operations, which helps ensure that patients have shorter recovery times and fewer complications.
Advanced metastatic lung cancer: When a patient’s lung cancer is more advanced, our goals are to help patients live as long and as well as possible. We may recommend drug therapy to shrink the tumors, which can help improve quality of life and extend life. Surgery is not typically performed in late-stage lung cancer. However, radiation may be used to shrink tumors with the goal of relieving symptoms and improving quality of life.