Radical Treatments for Lung Cancer

Those diagnosed with lung cancer have a long road ahead of them, particularly if the cancer is not diagnosed until an advanced stage. For many patients who are not responding to chemotherapy, more extreme treatment methods may be needed. There are a variety of radical lung cancer treatments available for patients who have run out of traditional treatment options.

Surgeries

• One form of radical surgery is an extrapleural pneumonectomy, sometimes called an EPP. In this procedure, the entire affected lung is extracted from the body. A pleurectomy is similar surgical option, and in this procedure only the lining of the lung is removed.

Clinical Trials

• Clinical trials are used to test new pharmaceutical treatments. The types of drugs being tested change every year, so ask your doctor if there any upcoming clinical trials that you may be a good fit for.

Gene Therapy

• Gene therapy can also be used to treat non-small cell lung cancer. This treatment is capable of killing off cancer cells in some patients.

Radical Radiotherapy

• High doses of radiation are one way to combat cancer. This method is especially suited for patients who have heart conditions or are otherwise unfit candidates for surgery.

IAT

• Immune augmentative therapy (IAT) is used to combat lung cancer by injecting immunoproteins into the body.