Top 5 Treatments for Advanced Lung Cancer
This article explores five effective treatment options for advanced lung cancer, including chemotherapy, targeted therapy with Crizotinib, radiation, laser, and supportive medications. The treatments aim to control tumor growth and improve quality of life, tailored to patient needs and tumor specifics.
Metastatic lung cancer occurs when cancer originating in the lungs spreads to other parts of the body, such as the kidneys or prostate. The majority of lung cancer cases, about 85-90%, are non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), characterized by the growth of cancer tissue within the lungs.
Choosing the most effective treatment involves collaboration with a healthcare professional and depends on factors like age, medical history, tumor location, size, and number. The primary goals are controlling cancer growth and alleviating symptoms.
Below are five common therapies used for lung cancer:
Chemotherapy: This essential treatment employs powerful drugs to target and kill cancer cells, especially useful when the disease has spread beyond the lungs.
Xalkori (Crizotinib): Known by its brand name Xalkori, Crizotinib is an advanced targeted therapy that inhibits an enzyme called ALK, crucial in about 5% of NSCLC cases known as ALK-positive disease.
Radiation Therapy: Utilizing high-energy rays, this therapy aims to reduce tumor size and destroy cancer cells, often used when the cancer is confined to a specific area.
Laser Therapy: This technique applies intense light to eliminate tumors or clear airway obstructions, including inserting tiny tubes called stents to keep airways open.
Adjunct Medications: Additional drugs like steroids, muscle relaxants, and painkillers are prescribed to manage symptoms associated with metastatic lung cancer.
