Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a form of epithelial cancer. This type of lung cancer makes up roughly 85% to 90% of lung cancers diagnosis. Its most common types include adenocarcinoma, large cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. The reason these subtypes are deemed NSCLC is because the treatment and prognosis are similar for all types. Read on to learn about the risk factors associated with the disease and treatments for advanced stages of non-small cell lung cancer:

1. Risk factors related to NSCLC
Risk factors are not necessarily direct causes of any certain disease. Yet, they may contribute to NSCLC development:

• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection
• Radiation exposure due to atomic bomb radiation, medical imaging tests like Computed Tomography (CT) scans, radon exposure in the workplace or residence, and radiation therapy in the chest or breast
• Occupational exposure to nickel, beryllium, chromium, arsenic, asbestos, and other agents
• Exposure to substances that cause cancer
• Consumption of tobacco products such as cigars, pipes, and cigarettes
• Residing in a location that has substantial levels of air pollution
• Genetic causes
• Supplements of beta carotene in heavy smokers

2. Treatment of NSCLC across advanced stages
Explained below are treatments for advanced stages of non-small cell lung cancer. These include treatments for Stage II, Stage III A, Stage III B, and Stage IV.

• Treatment for Stage II: Patients in Stage II of NSCLC are quite healthy to undergo a surgery wherein the cancer is removed by sleeve resection or lobectomy. In some instances, it is required to remove the entire lung. This procedure is known as pneumonectomy. In addition, lymph nodes may also be removed. The extent to which the lymph node is involved and whether the cancer cells are detected or not at the removed tissues’ edge are key aspects while planning the further treatment procedure. In certain cases, chemotherapy in combination with radiation may be advised prior to surgery to reduce the tumor and make the operation simpler.
• Treatment for Stage III A: Treatment for this stage involves a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Due to this reason, the patient requires to consult a thoracic surgeon, a radiation oncologist, and a medical oncologist to plan the treatment for this stage of NSCLC. The treatment options depend on the patient’s overall health, the tumor’s size and its location in the lung, lymph nodes where the tumor has reached, and how well the patient is tolerating the treatment. If the patient has a high tolerance level, the treatment commences with a combination of radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Surgery can be an alternative if the doctor feels that any tumors can be removed if the patient is fit enough.
• Treatment for Stage III B: In this stage, cancerous cells cannot be removed by surgery completely. The treatment depends on the patient’s overall health condition. If the patient is in good health, he can be treated with a combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Patients who are not fit enough are treated with either chemotherapy or radiation therapy alone.
• Treatment for Stage IV: In this stage, it is tough to cure cancer, as it has spread to distant areas. If the patient is in good health, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, chemotherapy, and surgery may help the patient live longer, but the cancer cannot be cured completely. Other treatments such as laser therapy or photodynamic therapy can be used to relieve symptoms.