Experimental Treatments for Lung Cancer

Because there is no standard treatment for lung cancer that is 100% effective, patients diagnosed with lung cancer may be offered the option of taking part in experimental trials of new treatments. There are several new therapies that are being seriously explored with medical trials in various studies, and the list of those therapies is a fluid one. The American Cancer Society official web site (www.cancer.org) has a tool to help you find experimental trials in which you may be able to participate, and the National Cancer Institute also maintains a listing of open and beginning clinical trials on their web site at www.cancer.gov.

There are several types of experimental treatments that may be open to new participants. They may involve testing new drugs or new combinations of drugs that may be more effective than treatments that are currently in use. They may involve immunotherapy, a type of treatment that attempts to stimulate the body’s own immune system to fight the cancer through the use of vaccines. There are some therapies that test new theories arising from research into the causes and effects of lung cancer.

One experimental treatment for lung cancer is attracting a good deal of attention. Photodynamic therapy – PDT – is approved by the FDA for treatment of both early and late stage lung cancer, both small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. PDT may be an option for those patients who are not candidates for traditional surgery because of the location of the cancerous cells. Essentially, PDT uses light – in the form of a laser – to destroy the cancerous cells in a tumor. The advantages to PDT include the fact that it works quickly – patients may feel the difference in as little as a few days – and that it can be used repeatedly to control the growth of small tumors that can’t be completely removed by any other method. The side effects of PDT seem to be few. The major side effect is a sensitivity to strong light after the treatment which may last four to six weeks. PDT shows promise in treating a number of different types of cancer, but only an oncologist can determine if it is the best course of treatment for any particular patient.

At any time, there are literally hundreds of medical trials ongoing to research new possible treatments for lung cancer. Some focus on eradicating existing cancer, some on preventing recurrence after surgery or chemotherapy. Some are only focusing on one particular type of cancer cell, while others are being tested for their effectiveness in treating all types of lung cancer. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with lung cancer, then you owe it to yourself and to them to be as conversant as possible with the newest treatments and possibilities. Becoming familiar with the tools to find clinical research trials and discussing the possibilities with your doctor may be one of the most important things that you do.