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Treatments for stage 0 non-small cell lung cancer
The following are treatment options for stage 0 non-small cell lung cancer. Non-small cell lung cancer israrely 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.
Great progress has been made
Some cancers, such as thyroid and testicular, have survival rates of over 90%. Other cancers, such as pancreatic, brain and esophageal, continue to have very low survival rates.
