How is advanced lung cancer treated?

How is advanced lung cancer treated?

Jay M. Lee (Surgical Director, Thoracic Oncology Program, UCLA) gives expert video advice on: Can I be cured of lung cancer?; What are the treatment options for lung cancer?; How will my doctor decide which treatment is best for my lung cancer? and more...

In the advanced stages of lung cancer with patients that are not candidates for surgery, then there are medications and treatments that we can give and these include predominately chemotherapy and radiation for the very advanced patients. Surgically, there are palliative treatments where we can improve the quality of life and your breathing. These things may include airway surgeries, stenting or laser surgeries. These are all minor surgeries and the intent is not to take all your cancer out but is simply to improve your breathing and your quality of life. There are other palliative treatments that incorporate radiation. These things may include stereotactic radio surgery and radiofrequency ablation, both of which are very focused uses of high energies to fight off your cancer.