Treatments for stage 0 non–small cell lung cancer

Last medical review:

The following are treatment options for stage 0 non−small cell lung cancer. Non−small cell lung cancer is rarely found in stage 0. Your healthcare team will suggest treatments based on your needs and work with you to develop a treatment plan.

Endobronchial therapies

Endobronchial therapies are the standard treatment for stage 0 tumours that are found in the lining of the airway tubes or the air sacs (alveoli) of the lung. Treatment options include:

  • electrocautery

  • cryosurgery

  • photodynamic therapy (PDT)

Surgery

Surgery is the standard treatment for stage 0 non−small cell lung cancer found in the outer tissues of the lung in people who are well enough to have surgery.

A wedge or segmental resection removes the tumour along with a margin of healthy tissue around the tumour.

Radiation therapy

Stereotactic body radiation therapy is used to treat stage 0 non−small cell lung cancer in people who have poor lung function and cannot have surgery.

Expert review and references

  • Stephen Lam, MD, FRCPC
  • American Cancer Society . Treating Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer . 2019 : https://www.cancer.org/cancer/lung-cancer/treating-non-small-cell.html.
  • Cancer Care Ontario. Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment Pathway Map. 2019: Version 2019.05.
  • National Comprehensive Cancer Network . NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology: Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (Version 3.2020) . 2020 .
  • PDQ® Adult Treatment Editorial Board . Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment (PDQ®) – Patient Version . Bethesda, MD : National Cancer Institute ; 2020: https://www.cancer.gov/types/lung/patient/non-small-cell-lung-treatment-pdq.
  • PDQ® Adult Treatment Editorial Board . Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment (PDQ®) – Health Professional Version . Bethesda, MD : National Cancer Institute ; 2020 : https://www.cancer.gov/types/lung/hp/non-small-cell-lung-treatment-pdq.
  • Chiang A, Detterbeck FC, Stewart T, Decker RH, Tanoue L. Non–small cell lung cancer. DeVita VT Jr, Lawrence TS, Rosenberg SA, eds. DeVita, Hellman, and Rosenberg's Cancer: Principles & Practice of Oncology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer; 2019: 48:618–670.

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