What are the next steps when a tumor shrinks from 7 cm to 5 cm but surgery still isn't an option?
It's encouraging that your tumor has shrunk! When surgery remains off the table, there are several treatment paths your care team might consider.
For more advanced or inoperable lung cancer, common next steps include:
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What are the next steps when a tumor shrinks from 7 cm to 5 cm but surgery still isn't an option?
It's encouraging that your tumor has shrunk! When surgery remains off the table, there are several treatment paths your care team might consider.
For more advanced or inoperable lung cancer, common next steps include:
* Continuing chemotherapy to further shrink the tumor or keep it stable
* Adding or continuing radiation therapy to target the tumor
* Combining chemotherapy with immunotherapy (chemoimmunotherapy) to help your immune system fight cancer cells
* Using targeted radiation techniques like IMRT or SBRT that focus on the tumor while protecting healthy tissue
Your oncologist will consider factors like your overall health, the tumor's location, whether it's affecting important structures, and if there are any specific mutations in your cancer cells. The goal may shift to controlling the cancer's growth, managing symptoms, and maintaining quality of life.
Keep communicating with your care team about how you're feeling and any side effects you're experiencing. They can adjust your treatment plan as needed.
March 2
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