Non-small lung cancer treatment: what to know

Non-small lung cancer treatment is chosen around the cancer’s stage, tumour features, general health and personal goals. A plan may use surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, another systemic treatment, or a combination.

Tests first establish the cancer’s subtype and whether it has spread. Genomic tumour profiling can look for changes that may make a tumour suitable for a particular targeted medicine. The team also considers lung function, other illnesses, medicines and what matters most to you.

When surgery is suitable, a lung lobectomy removes a lobe containing the tumour and nearby tissue; the exact operation depends on location and lung reserve. Radiotherapy uses focused radiation to treat a planned area. Chemotherapy uses medicines that travel through the body and may be given before or after local treatment or when disease is more widespread.

Ask for the purpose, schedule and likely monitoring for each treatment. Bring an up-to-date medicine list and report breathing changes, fever, pain, appetite loss or new symptoms early. Practical support with nutrition, movement, sleep and transport can make appointments easier.

Palliative care is available alongside cancer-directed treatment. It addresses symptoms, emotional wellbeing and family concerns; receiving it does not mean that other treatment has stopped. Your plan can be reviewed when scans, side effects or your priorities change.

Contact the treatment team urgently for fever, severe breathlessness, chest pain, confusion, uncontrolled vomiting or sudden deterioration. Seek emergency help for severe breathing difficulty, collapse, coughing a large amount of blood, a seizure or sudden one-sided weakness. Use the emergency number provided by your hospital if you are unsure whom to call.

What is the aim of each treatment? Has my tumour had genomic testing? Could surgery, radiotherapy or systemic treatment be combined? How will you check whether treatment is working? Which side effects need a same-day call? What support is available at home?