{"id":15691,"date":"2021-04-23T11:53:21","date_gmt":"2021-04-23T01:53:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/?post_type=article&p=15691"},"modified":"2021-04-28T10:39:05","modified_gmt":"2021-04-28T00:39:05","slug":"what-are-my-treatment-options-for-lung-cancer","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/blog\/what-are-my-treatment-options-for-lung-cancer\/","title":{"rendered":"What are my treatment options for lung cancer?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Understanding what treatments are available for lung cancer, and what these treatments mean for your wellbeing and quality of life, may help you to deal with some of the anxiety that accompanies such a complex disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The medical information you receive about lung cancer treatments may seem confusing and you will likely also have emotional and practical concerns about aspects such as side effects.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Questions: <\/strong>If newly diagnosed, you may have many questions for your lung cancer specialist; for support with ones to consider asking, click here<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The treatment options for lung cancer depends on your type of cancer, stage, lung function and health. The treatments may aim to shrink the tumour size, relieve your symptoms, improve your day-to-day quality of life and prolong your life expectancy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lung Cancer Support Nurse Nicole said feelings of fear and anxiety can be reduced when a patient understands their type of treatment and why they have been prescribed it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI speak to a lot of patients who report being confused about the types of lung cancer treatment they have been offered or prescribed,\u201d Nicole said.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c\u202fEducating patients on the different types of lung cancer treatments and their potential side effects can help patients make an informed decision.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Types of lung cancers <\/strong>    <\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) makes up about 85% of all lung cancers and is a disease in which malignant cells form in lung tissuesi<\/sup>. It can be treated with targeted therapy, immunotherapy, surgery, radiation or chemotherapy. Small cell lung cancer, meanwhile, generally starts in the middle of the lungs and spreads more quickly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Early stage non-small cell lung cancer is usually treated with surgery to remove the tumour, and sometimes chemotherapy to prevent it returning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Locally advanced (stage 3) treatments may include radiation, immunotherapy or targeted therapies. For advanced (stage 3) NSCLC, palliative therapies may be introduced, with the aim being to slow the cancer\u2019s spread and manage symptoms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At a later stage of diagnosis and for small cell lung cancer, surgery is not usedii<\/sup>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Looking at the needs of a patient newly diagnosed with lung cancer<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

If you have recently been diagnosed with a lung cancer, a Lung Foundation Australia  webinar features healthcare professionals talking about support and needs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Watch the webinar<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What do all these lung cancer treatments actually mean?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n