Southlake, TX – Dec 15, 2018 – The reason why lung cancer is the leading in mortality rates for men and women is that lungs are exposed to the external environment more than other body organs. Carcinogens inhaled in the air cause cell damage that can turn into cancer. Smoking causes the highest cases of lung cancer. Non-small cell lung cancer starts in the alveoli, bronchioles and the cells lining the bronchi. It presents symptoms like persistent coughs, weight loss, coughing blood and shortness of breath.

“Non-small cell lung cancers behave similarly, for example, the adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinomas," explained Dr. Mackey. "These cancers grow slowly, and each type is named according to the cells that were transformed into cancer. They are known to be insensitive to chemotherapy."

Some of the treatment options for non-small cell lung cancer include:

• Surgery – Doctors treating non-small cell lung cancers use video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) on some of the small lung tumors. The VATS procedure allows them to remove parts of the lung using smaller incisions. In this way, the patient experiences less pain and also takes a shorter time in the hospital. It is also known as robotic-assisted surgery.

• Radiation therapy – New methods of radiation therapy are now available with inbuilt imaging scanners. The image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) allows doctors to scan the lung and adjust the target before releasing the radiation. IGRT has helped to deliver precise radiation and reduce its side effects.

• Targeted therapy drugs – Targeted therapy drugs are used in treating non-small cell lung cancers. More targeted therapy drugs such as custirsen, ganetespib, selumetinib, and nintedanib are used in clinical trials to determine if advanced lung cancer patients can live longer or relieve the symptoms.

“Researchers continue to work on new imaging techniques to help improve the treatment of non-small cell lung cancers,” continued Dr. Mackey. "The four-dimensional computed tomography (4DCT) technique is underway to help determine the tumor location with each breathing cycle. This will help doctors to deliver radiation precisely to the tumor.”

About Southlake Oncology
Southlake Oncology, located in the Southlake and Grapevine area is a community-focused oncology practice that delivers exceptional care to North Texas cancer patients with a variety of cancer diagnoses and blood disorders. Like the other Choice Cancer Care facilities, we are an independent treatment center that is physician-owned.