List of Treatments for Lung Cancer

Opdivo (Nivolumab)

Overview
Opdivo is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. Opdivo is often prescribed with ipilimumab (Yervoy). Opdivo is also known by… read more

Pericardial Window

Overview
Creating a pericardial window is a procedure that drains excess fluid from the chest by removing a portion of the pericardium (the sac that surrounds the heart).

In certain cases of lung cancer, fluid can… read more

Pericardiocentesis

Overview
Pericardiocentesis is a procedure to remove excess fluid near the heart. In certain cases of lung cancer, fluid can accumulate in the upper chest cavity near the heart. The fluid can then penetrate the… read more

Photodynamic Therapy

Overview
Photodynamic therapy uses a combination of medication and light to kill cancer cells. It is also known as photoradiation therapy, phototherapy, or photochemotherapy. It’s used as a treatment for early-stage… read more

Pleurodesis

Overview
Pleurodesis is a procedure that attaches the lungs to the chest wall. In certain cases of lung cancer, fluid builds up in the pleural space (the area between the lungs and the chest wall). This is known as… read more

Pneumonectomy

Overview
Pneumonectomy, a surgery to remove an entire lung, is used to treat advanced lung cancer. If cancer has spread through most of a lung, is present in the middle of a lung, or involves an artery or multiple… read more

Radiation Therapy

Overview
Radiation therapy kills cancer cells using high-energy rays or particles. It may be used as the main treatment for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) when the cancer can’t be removed surgically. It may be used… read more

Radiofrequency Ablation

Overview
Radiofrequency ablation is a treatment approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for people with non-small cell lung cancer when surgery is not an option. It is typically used to treat small… read more

Retevmo (Selpercatinib)

Overview
Retevmo is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat adults with metastatic, rearranged-during-transfection (RET) fusion-positive, non-small cell lung cancer. Retevmo… read more

Robotically Assisted Thoracic Surgery (RATS)

Overview
Robotically assisted thoracic surgery (RATS) is a procedure approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for certain people with lung cancer. It is used to facilitate several other different… read more

Rozlytrek (Entrectinib)

Overview
Rozlytrek is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat adults with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that has spread to other parts of the body and is caused by an… read more

Rybrevant (Amivantamab-Vmjw)

Overview
Rybrevant, approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is a targeted therapy for the treatment of lung cancer. It is specifically indicated for adults with locally advanced or metastatic non-small…

Segmentectomy

Overview
Segmentectomy, also called wedge resection, is a surgical procedure used to treat non-small cell lung cancer. It is typically performed when lung cancer is in its earliest stages or when a person’s lung… read more

Sleeve Resection

Overview
Sleeve resection surgery is a procedure used to treat certain people with non-small cell lung cancer. Sleeve resection is performed by opening the chest and removing a lobe from a lung, along with some nearby… read more

Stent Placement

Overview
Stent placement is a procedure in which a stent — a flexible mesh tube — is placed in an airway to keep it from becoming blocked. If a lung cancer grows into an airway and affects breathing, a stent can help… read more

Tabrecta (Capmatinib)

Overview
Tabrecta is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat adults with metastatic, non-small cell lung cancer whose tumors have a mutation known as mesenchymal-epithelial… read more

Tagrisso (Osimertinib)

Overview
Tagrisso is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat adults with non-small-cell lung cancer whose tumors are positive for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon… read more

Tarceva (Erlotinib)

The Tarceva brand name has been discontinued in the U.S. Generic alternatives may be available.

Overview

Tarceva is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat locally advanced or…

Tecentriq (Atezolizumab)

Overview
Tecentriq is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat adults with small cell or non-small cell lung cancer by itself or as an adjuvant therapy (in combination with… read more

Thoracentesis

Overview
Thoracentesis is a procedure used to remove excess fluid from the chest. In some cases of lung cancer, fluid builds up in the pleural space (the area between the lungs and the chest wall). This condition is… read more

Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS)

Overview
Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) is a procedure approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for certain people with lung cancer. It is typically used to biopsy a lung or another area in the… read more

Vitrakvi (Larotrectinib)

Overview
Vitrakvi is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat solid tumors that have a neurotrophic receptor tyrosine kinase (NTRK) gene fusion without a known resistance… read more

Vizimpro (Dacomitinib)

Overview
Vizimpro is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat metastatic non-small cell lung cancer with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 19 deletion or exon 21… read more

Xalkori (Crizotinib)

Overview
Xalkori is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with tumors that are positive for anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)… read more

Yervoy (Ipilimumab)

Overview
Yervoy is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat metastatic non-small cell lung cancer with tumors that express the protein PD-L1. Yervoy is prescribed in… read more

Zykadia (Ceritinib)

Overview
Zykadia is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat adults with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors are positive for anaplastic lymphoma kinase… read more