Does immunotherapy treat non-small cell lung cancer?

Immunotherapy helps the immune system identify and attack cancer cells. For non-small cell lung cancer, doctors may consider it before or after surgery, with chemotherapy, or as treatment for cancer that has spread. Tumour testing can help identify whether an immune treatment is suitable. The plan also takes account of lung function, other illnesses, medicines, and previous cancer treatment.

Treatment can affect healthy organs by causing immune inflammation. The lungs, bowel, liver, skin, kidneys, and thyroid are among the areas that may need monitoring. A new symptom should be reported because early assessment can change the treatment plan.

Ask whether tumour testing has been completed and what the treatment is intended to do. Share any history of lung disease, autoimmune illness, organ transplant, steroid use, or previous radiotherapy. Ask how your breathing, oxygen level, blood tests, and scans will be followed. Keep your oncology contact details accessible during treatment.

Contact your care team quickly for increasing breathlessness, chest pain, persistent cough, severe diarrhoea, abdominal pain, jaundice, a widespread rash, severe tiredness, confusion, or fever. Severe breathing difficulty, fainting, or blue lips needs urgent medical help. These symptoms may reflect treatment inflammation, infection, or the cancer, and should not be self-diagnosed.

What tumour tests guide my treatment? Will immunotherapy be given alone or with chemotherapy? How will you distinguish treatment-related lung inflammation from infection? What should I do outside clinic hours?