Lung Cancer Treatment at Mayo Clinic

Lung Cancer Treatment provides specialized evaluation, diagnosis and individualized treatment for lung cancer and other malignant tumors affecting the lungs and chest. Treatment planning may involve pulmonologists, thoracic surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists and pathologists. Depending on the cancer type, stage and molecular characteristics, treatment may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy or a combination of treatments.

Price

Price on Request

Why Price on Request?

The cost of lung cancer treatment depends on the type and stage of cancer, specialist consultations, imaging, biopsy and pathology testing, molecular testing, surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, hospitalization and follow-up care required. A personalized estimate is provided according to the patient's treatment plan.

Complete Description

What Is Lung Cancer Treatment?

Lung Cancer Treatment focuses on the diagnosis, staging and treatment of cancers that originate in the lungs.

Treatment is individualized according to:

• Cancer type

• Cancer stage

• Tumor size

• Tumor location

• Lymph node involvement

• Spread to other organs

• Molecular characteristics

• Overall health

• Previous treatment

A multidisciplinary team may coordinate different treatment approaches to achieve the best possible outcome.

Types of Lung Cancer Evaluated and Treated

Specialists may evaluate and treat:

• Non-small cell lung cancer

• Small cell lung cancer

• Lung adenocarcinoma

• Squamous cell carcinoma

• Large cell carcinoma

• Other lung malignancies

• Selected metastatic cancers involving the lungs

Lung Cancer Evaluation

A comprehensive evaluation may include:

• Detailed medical history

• Physical examination

• Chest imaging

• CT scan

• PET scan when appropriate

• Bronchoscopy

• Biopsy

• Pathology testing

• Molecular testing

• Lymph node evaluation

The goal is to establish an accurate diagnosis and determine the extent of disease.

Lung Cancer Diagnosis

Diagnosis may require obtaining a tissue sample through:

• Bronchoscopy

• Needle biopsy

• Image-guided biopsy

• Surgical biopsy

• Other appropriate procedures

Pathology specialists examine the tissue to determine the cancer type and relevant characteristics.

Lung Cancer Staging

Staging determines how extensive the cancer is and helps guide treatment.

Evaluation may include:

• Chest CT

• PET imaging

• Brain imaging when appropriate

• Lymph node assessment

• Biopsy

• Other specialized tests

The treatment plan is developed according to the cancer stage and individual patient factors.

Molecular Testing for Lung Cancer

Molecular testing may identify genetic or molecular changes within a lung tumor.

Testing may help determine eligibility for:

• Targeted therapies

• Certain immunotherapies

• Other personalized treatment approaches

• Selected clinical trials

The specific tests depend on the type and characteristics of the tumor.

Lung Cancer Surgery

Surgery may be considered for selected patients whose cancer can be removed safely.

Surgical goals may include:

• Removing the tumor

• Removing affected lung tissue

• Removing nearby lymph nodes

• Obtaining tissue for diagnosis

• Achieving local cancer control

The surgical approach depends on tumor location, size, stage and overall health.

Lobectomy

A lobectomy involves removing one lobe of the lung.

It may be considered for selected patients with localized lung cancer when removal of the affected lobe provides an appropriate treatment option.

Pneumonectomy

A pneumonectomy involves removing an entire lung.

This extensive procedure may be considered only in selected cases when the tumor's location or extent requires removal of the entire lung.

Segmentectomy and Wedge Resection

For selected patients, surgeons may remove a smaller portion of the lung.

These procedures may include:

• Segmentectomy

• Wedge resection

Suitability depends on tumor size, location, cancer stage and the patient's overall condition.

Minimally Invasive Lung Cancer Surgery

Selected lung cancer procedures may be performed using minimally invasive approaches.

These may include:

• Video-assisted thoracic surgery

• Robotic-assisted surgery

• Other specialized surgical techniques

The appropriate approach depends on the tumor and the patient's anatomy.

Lymph Node Evaluation

Lymph nodes may be evaluated during lung cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Evaluation may involve:

• Imaging

• Bronchoscopy

• Endoscopic procedures

• Surgical lymph node sampling

• Pathology examination

Lymph node involvement is important for cancer staging and treatment planning.

Bronchoscopy for Lung Cancer

Bronchoscopy allows specialists to examine the airways and obtain tissue or fluid samples.

It may be used for:

• Diagnosis

• Biopsy

• Evaluation of abnormal imaging

• Assessment of airway involvement

• Selected treatment procedures

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy may be used:

• As a primary treatment

• After surgery

• Before surgery in selected situations

• For locally advanced disease

• To treat selected metastatic sites

• To relieve cancer-related symptoms

The radiation approach depends on the cancer stage and treatment goals.

Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy

Stereotactic body radiation therapy delivers highly focused radiation to a specific tumor.

It may be considered for selected patients with:

• Small localized lung tumors

• Patients who cannot undergo surgery

• Selected metastatic lesions

Treatment suitability depends on tumor characteristics and overall health.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy may be used to treat lung cancer:

• Before surgery

• After surgery

• Together with radiation

• For advanced disease

• In combination with other systemic therapies

The specific medications depend on the cancer type and stage.

Targeted Therapy

Some lung cancers contain specific molecular changes that can be treated with targeted medications.

Targeted therapy may be considered based on molecular testing and can be used in appropriate patients with advanced or selected earlier-stage disease.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy uses medicines that help the immune system recognize and respond to cancer.

It may be considered for selected patients based on:

• Cancer type

• Stage

• Molecular characteristics

• Previous treatment

• Other clinical factors

Combined Cancer Treatment

Some patients may require more than one treatment approach.

Treatment combinations may include:

• Surgery and chemotherapy

• Surgery and radiation

• Chemotherapy and radiation

• Chemotherapy and immunotherapy

• Targeted therapy and other treatments

• Other multidisciplinary treatment strategies

The treatment plan is individualized according to the patient's cancer.

Advanced and Metastatic Lung Cancer Treatment

When lung cancer has spread beyond the lung, treatment may focus on controlling the disease, improving symptoms and maintaining quality of life.

Treatment may include:

• Chemotherapy

• Targeted therapy

• Immunotherapy

• Radiation therapy

• Surgery for selected patients

• Supportive care

• Clinical trials

Recurrent Lung Cancer Treatment

Lung cancer can sometimes return after initial treatment.

Evaluation may include:

• Repeat imaging

• Biopsy when appropriate

• Molecular testing

• Review of previous treatments

• Assessment of disease location

Treatment options depend on where the cancer has returned and the therapies previously received.

Clinical Trials

Eligible patients may be evaluated for clinical trials investigating:

• New medications

• Targeted therapies

• Immunotherapies

• New radiation techniques

• Surgical approaches

• Combination treatments

Clinical trial eligibility depends on the specific study and patient's medical condition.

Supportive and Palliative Care

Supportive care may help manage symptoms and treatment-related effects such as:

• Pain

• Shortness of breath

• Fatigue

• Loss of appetite

• Nausea

• Other cancer-related symptoms

Supportive care may be provided alongside cancer treatment.

Lung Cancer Rehabilitation

Patients may benefit from rehabilitation before or after treatment.

Rehabilitation may focus on:

• Breathing

• Strength

• Exercise tolerance

• Physical conditioning

• Recovery after surgery

• Functional independence

Second Opinion for Lung Cancer

Patients who have already received a lung cancer diagnosis or treatment recommendation may seek a lung cancer second opinion.

Specialists may review:

• CT scans

• PET scans

• Pathology reports

• Biopsy results

• Molecular testing

• Previous surgical reports

• Radiation records

• Medication history

• Proposed treatment plan

Multidisciplinary Lung Cancer Care

Complex lung cancer treatment may involve:

• Pulmonologists

• Thoracic surgeons

• Medical oncologists

• Radiation oncologists

• Radiologists

• Pathologists

• Rehabilitation specialists

• Other healthcare professionals

A multidisciplinary approach can help coordinate diagnosis, staging and treatment.

International Patients

International patients should provide relevant medical records whenever possible.

Useful documents may include:

• CT scans

• PET scans

• MRI reports when applicable

• Biopsy reports

• Pathology reports

• Molecular testing results

• Previous treatment records

• Surgery reports

• Radiation records

• Current medication list

Benefits of Specialized Lung Cancer Treatment

Specialized lung cancer care may help:

• Establish an accurate diagnosis

• Determine cancer stage

• Evaluate surgical options

• Perform tumor molecular testing

• Provide personalized treatment

• Manage advanced disease

• Coordinate surgery and oncology care

• Provide radiation treatment

• Evaluate targeted therapies and immunotherapy

• Support rehabilitation and recovery

• Provide specialized second opinions

Why Choose Mayo Clinic for Lung Cancer Treatment?

Mayo Clinic provides multidisciplinary care for patients with lung cancer through teams that may include pulmonologists, thoracic surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, pathologists and rehabilitation specialists.

Depending on the patient's diagnosis, treatment may include advanced diagnostic testing, minimally invasive or open surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy and coordinated follow-up care.

Cost & Price on Request

Price: Price on Request

The total cost of lung cancer treatment depends on the type and stage of cancer and the treatment required.

Potential costs may include:

• Lung cancer consultation

• Diagnostic imaging

• PET scan

• Bronchoscopy

• Biopsy

• Pathology testing

• Molecular testing

• Lung surgery

• Hospitalization

• Radiation therapy

• Chemotherapy

• Targeted therapy

• Immunotherapy

• Rehabilitation

• Follow-up consultations

A personalized cost estimate should be requested according to the patient's individual treatment plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What types of lung cancer are treated?

Specialists may treat non-small cell lung cancer, small cell lung cancer, adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and other lung malignancies.

2. Does every lung cancer patient need surgery?

No. Treatment depends on the type and stage of cancer, tumor location, overall health and other individual factors. Some patients may be treated with radiation, medication or combinations of treatments.

3. What tests are used to diagnose lung cancer?

Evaluation may include CT scans, PET imaging, bronchoscopy, biopsy, pathology and molecular testing when appropriate.

4. Can lung cancer treatment include immunotherapy or targeted therapy?

Yes. Selected patients may receive immunotherapy or targeted therapy based on the cancer type and molecular characteristics.

5. Can I get a second opinion for lung cancer treatment?

Yes. Specialists can review imaging, pathology, molecular testing and previous treatment records to provide an additional treatment evaluation.

Product Details

Product Name: Lung Cancer Treatment

Hospital: Mayo Clinic – Rochester

Brand: Mayo Clinic

Country: United States

Specialty: Pulmonology & Lung Surgery

Service Type: Lung Cancer Treatment

Customer-Facing Price: Price on Request

International Patients: Available

Location: Rochester, Minnesota, USA