Treating Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer After Chemoradiation
Learn what chemoradiation is, and how immunotherapy and surgery after chemoradiation can help treat non-small cell lung cancer.
When receiving treatment for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), your doctor may mention something called chemoradiation. This may be an effective treatment when the cancer has spread beyond the original tumor site, such as stage III or IV NSCLC.,Chemoradiation simply refers to using both chemotherapy and radiation therapy together to get better results. Here’s how the two treatments work:
Chemotherapy is a treatment that attacks all rapidly dividing cells, including cancer cells. Learn more about chemotherapy.
Radiation therapy uses a beam of radiation to target and attack cancer cells. Learn more about what radiation therapy
Learn more about treatment options by stage for non-small cell lung cancer.
- Stefan Balan, MD, EMBAStefan Balan, MD, EMBA, is the Chief of Oncology and Hematology at Winchester Hospital, Beth Israel Lahey Clinic, and was formerly at RWJBarnabas Health in Jersey City, NJ.
References
American Cancer Society. (2022). Immune checkpoint inhibitors and their side effects.
National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). Monoclonal antibodies.
National Cancer Institute. (2023). Non-small cell lung cancer treatment (PDQ) - health professional version.