Fact 8: A Spectrum of Treatments
The realm of lung cancer treatments isn’t static. Over the past few decades, advancements in medical science have introduced a host of treatments, each tailored to different types, stages, and individual patient profiles of lung cancer. From surgical interventions and radiation to the more recent immunotherapies and targeted treatments, the toolbox for oncologists is more diverse than ever, offering hope and improved outcomes for patients.
For localized lung cancers, surgery often stands as the first line of defense. By physically removing the tumor, surgeons aim to eradicate the disease before it spreads. Radiation therapy, on the other hand, employs high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. It’s versatile, used as a primary treatment, an adjunct to surgery, or even palliatively to alleviate symptoms in advanced stages.
Recent years have witnessed the rise of targeted therapies, a revolutionary approach that zeros in on specific molecular markers found in cancer cells. By honing in on these markers, these treatments can disrupt cancer growth with remarkable precision, often leading to fewer side effects compared to traditional chemotherapy.
Another groundbreaking advancement is immunotherapy, which turns the body’s immune system against cancer. By boosting the immune response or introducing lab-engineered immune elements, these treatments aim to recognize and combat cancer cells more effectively. Given their unique mechanism, they offer hope even to patients with advanced or hard-to-treat cancers.(8)
