What You Need to Know: Lung Cancer Treatment by Stage

Lung cancer is one of the most common malignant conditions. However, people can take many steps to protect themselves and their loved ones from it. About one-third of all lung cancer cases are from preventable factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and obesity. Even for people already with lung cancer, early detection, and treatment often lead to favorable outcomes, sometimes even complete healing.

Patients should understand that each cancer stage requires a different treatment strategy to maximize health outcomes. Let’s learn more about lung cancer treatment by stage and where you can go for outstanding lung cancer treatment in Wooster, Ohio.

Stages 0 and I

Cancer staging considers how far cancer cells have spread into the body. Stage 0 cancer means these cells are present in the lungs’ inner linings but have not spread to deeper tissues.

Segmentectomy

People with Stage 0 can expect to be cured through surgery, as physical removal can often remove all the cells.

Segmentectomy or wedge resection only requires removing relatively small amounts of lung tissue and is recommended for Stage 0 cancer.

Stage I cancer involves malignant cells that have begun to invade nearby tissue but remain confined entirely within the lungs. Treatment for it is more involved than Stage 0 cancer, but complete remission is still likely.

Lobectomy

Segmentectomy or wedge resection are still valid options for tiny tumors. But lobectomy, or removing the lobe containing cancer, is recommended to remove all abnormal cells.

Nearby lymph nodes will also be removed and inspected since they can serve as pathways for malignant spread.

Adjuvant Therapies

Depending on the risk of cancer recurrence, patients may receive adjuvant therapies to complement surgery and maximize complete remission.

For this purpose, doctors may recommend adjuvant chemotherapy, which kills rapidly dividing cells such as cancer cells.

Non-Surgical Options

Non-surgical options are also available. Radiation treatment can be through brachytherapy, where a doctor places a sealed radioactive source adjacent to the area with cancer.

For Stage 0 and many Stage I cases, these methods will be able to kill all of the cancer cells.

Stage II

Treatment for stage II cancers follows a more extensive version of the protocol for earlier stages.

Surgery

Surgery is still the primary recommendation, although radiation therapy is acceptable if the patient cannot safely tolerate surgery.

Lobectomy and sometimes pneumonectomy, or removing an entire lung, are the preferred options. Your surgeon will also remove any lymph nodes with cancer to halt the malignant spread.

Second Surgery

Some patients may require another surgery to remove cancerous cells detected after examining the removed tissue from the first surgery. If the excised tissue shows tumor cells at the margin, then part of the tumor might have been left behind.

This case necessitates additional treatment.

Adjuvant Therapies

Doctors also recommend adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation treatment to eliminate cancer.

Some cancers respond well to immunotherapy, where a drug will direct the immune system to combat cancer cells.

Other cancers also have unique mutations that make them sensitive to targeted drugs. These treatments also function as adjuvant therapies after surgery.

Stage III

Stage III lung cancer typically involves larger tumors and cancer cells in many lymph nodes. While the malignancy has already started spreading outside the lungs, it has not yet reached distant portions of the body.

Complete remission is still possible, but the main goal of treatment is to remove as many cancer cells as possible.

Doctors aim to preserve the patient’s quality of life through disease management.

Different Therapies

Due to the complexity of physical access to all cancer cells in stage III, surgery alone cannot eliminate cancer.

Chemotherapy and radiation therapy may be given to the patient before surgery to shrink the tumor size and facilitate removal. Immunotherapy and targeted drug therapy may still help reduce the spread of cancer.

Coordination Of Healthcare Providers

Patients with stage III cancer and above usually work with multiple specialists. This team will coordinate their expertise to provide a suitable combination and schedule of cancer therapies.

Stage IV

Stage IV cancers have already spread to distant body parts, with tumors forming in the brain, bone, and other organs.

While a cure is highly unlikely, treatment can still be effective in reducing symptoms and extend lifespans. Aside from all the options discussed, participating in clinical trials for novel procedures can help with disease management.

You can also help contribute to further developments in cancer treatment.

Lung Cancer Treatment in Wooster, Ohio

Cancer staging determines the optimal treatment strategy. That may lead to complete remission and recovery for earlier cases and increased quality of life for later stages. Working with a multidisciplinary oncology practice is essential for effective cancer treatment.

Do you need comprehensive lung cancer treatment near you? You can rely on Wooster Community Hospital, the most compassionate Wooster, Ohio, hospital. Our Comprehensive Care Center is a member of the James Cancer Network, offering you the latest in treatments, diagnostics, and imaging.

To learn more or schedule a consultation, call us today at (330) 262-2800 or fill out our online appointment request form.