How do stage IV lung cancer treatment options differ from earlier stages?

Thank you for sharing such thoughtful insights about how treatment approaches vary by stage - this knowledge can really help others in the community understand their own treatment paths better. Stage IV lung cancer treatment typically does involve different initial approaches compared to earlier stages, often focusing on systemic therapies like targeted therapy or immunotherapy from the start, while earlier stages may use the sequential approach with surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy that the study mentioned. Connecting with others who have similar experiences can provide valuable perspective as everyone navigates these important treatment decisions with their care teams.

I have stage four metastatic no small cell lung cancer that spread to my brain. So they did something called the cyber knife on the 3 tumors in my brain and that worked. My lung I go every three weeks for chemo which consists of pembro and Pemetrexed one of which is an immunotherapy, brand name Keytruda. So far this has been working for me, my tumor is the same size or a bit smaller than my last scan. Hopefully they find what will work for you! As we all know there is a cure but Big Pharma doesn’t want it out because they would lose million, billions in profit. Ivermectin has been proven to fight parasites which cancer is. Why hasn’t that become an option? I’ve asked and get the run around, just like light therapy. Now I’m seeing that heat works to get rid of tumors. I go Thursday and plan on asking and telling them I want more straight truthful answers!

I have Stage 3 ALK+ NSC lung cancer. I was told that ALK+ NSCLC do not respond well to immunotherapy but are sensitive to targeted therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors. The genetic studies directed my treatment. I hope you find something that works for you Duane. Good luck.