Thoracic surgeon Dr. Michaela Straznicka MD, FACS, from BASS Medical Group explains how treatments are tailored based on the stage of the disease.
Once a patient is diagnosed with lung cancer, treatment must begin as soon as possible. The treatment plan is designed based on what is called the stage of the cancer, which refers to the extent of the disease. Early-stage patients have small tumors confined to the lung tissue itself—these are considered stage 1 patients. Staging is determined using PET scans, CAT scans, and biopsies. A patient’s cancer can range from stage 1 to stage 4. Early-stage cancers are often treated locally with surgery or radiation therapy. More advanced stages—such as stage 2, stage 3, or stage 4—typically require a multidisciplinary approach. This means treatment may involve a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, or biologic treatments. A team of physicians collaborates to determine the best treatment plan for each patient. My name is Michaela Straznicka, and I am a proud member of the BASS Medical Group.
