When is targeted therapy recommended for non-small cell lung cancer?

Non-small cell lung cancer is not one single disease. Testing a biopsy, and sometimes a blood sample, can look for molecular alterations that affect how tumour cells grow. Your specialist combines those results with the cancer subtype, scan findings, stage, symptoms, overall health and previous treatment. When a suitable alteration is found, a targeted medicine may be considered because it is designed to act on that pathway. It may be recommended as the main drug treatment for advanced disease, after a cancer has returned, or in another setting selected by the oncology team. If testing does not show a relevant target, another treatment approach may be more appropriate.

Ask whether comprehensive molecular testing has been completed and which result guides the recommendation. Share your medicine list, smoking history, lung symptoms and other health conditions. Confirm whether treatment is a tablet or infusion, how often it is taken, how scans and blood tests will be scheduled, and which side effects should be reported. Keep a written record of new cough, breathlessness, rash, diarrhoea or changes in vision. Do not stop treatment or start a supplement without advice.

Get urgent help for severe breathlessness, chest pain, blue lips, confusion, fainting, sudden weakness or coughing blood. Contact the oncology team promptly for a new or rapidly worsening cough, fever, persistent diarrhoea, severe rash, yellowing of the skin, reduced urine or sudden changes in vision.

Which molecular alteration was found, and how does the medicine act on it? Is treatment intended before or after another therapy? How will we monitor the lungs, scans and blood tests? Which symptoms could indicate a serious reaction?