Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment Options
Topics
- Types of NSCLC
- Stages of NSCLC
- NSCLC Treatment Options
- Factors Affecting Your Prognosis
- Science Behind Targeted Treatments
Related Links
More than one choice
Tarceva is a maintenance and 2nd/3rd-line therapy and is one of many treatment options for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Which treatment approach works best for you depends on several factors. For this reason, your treatment will probably include one or more of the following options included in this section.
| Treatment | How Does It Work? | When May This Treatment Be Used? |
| Surgery | Removes the tumor. This can be done if the tumor is small and has not spread to other areas of your body. |
You should be in good overall health to have surgery. Surgery can be the first step in your treatment plan. |
| Radiation | Uses high-energy X-ray beams to shrink the tumor. Radiation may destroy cancer cells remaining after surgery. Radiation is frequently used in conjunction with other treatments. |
This may be done before surgery to make it easier to remove the tumor. Radiation can also be done after surgery. Your overall health may not be good enough for you to have surgery. Or, the cancer may have spread to other areas in your body. If so, radiation treatment may be used instead of surgery. |
| Chemotherapy | Drugs used to destroy or slow the growth of cancer cells. One or more chemotherapy drugs may be given at a time. |
Chemotherapy may be used with radiation to help shrink the tumor before surgery. It may be used after surgery or radiation to destroy any cancer cells that may have been left behind. |
| Targeted therapy | A kind of therapy that affects certain signals needed for cancer cells to grow. It may also impact healthy cells. |
This may be used at different points in your therapy. |
For more information about lung cancer and treatment options, please visit InformationAboutCancer.com.
- Tarceva is prescribed for patients with advanced-stage NSCLC whose cancer has not spread or grown after initial treatment with certain types of chemotherapy (maintenance treatment).
- Tarceva is prescribed for patients with advanced-stage NSCLC whose cancer has spread or grown after receiving at least 1 chemotherapy regimen (2nd/3rd-line treatment).
- Tarceva is not meant to be used at the same time as certain types of chemotherapy for advanced NSCLC.
Everyone reacts differently to Tarceva therapy. So it’s important to know what the side effects are. Although some people may have a life-threatening side effect, most do not.
Your doctor will stop treatment if any serious side effects occur. Be sure to contact your healthcare team if you have symptoms related to these side effects.
Interstitial lung disease (ILD)-like events
Problems occurring in the lungs (including deaths). Tarceva may need to be stopped if new or unexplained serious symptoms of shortness of breath, cough, and fever occur.Liver and/or kidney problems
Some events have included death. Let your healthcare provider (HCP) know if you have a history of liver or kidney disease.Gastrointestinal (GI) perforation
A hole that develops in your stomach or intestine. Some events have included death.Serious skin conditions
Some events have included death.Eye disorders
Eye irritation and damage to the cornea.Bleeding events when taking warfarin
Some events have included death. Tell your doctor if you are taking warfarin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).Pregnancy problems
You should not become pregnant while on treatment with Tarceva. DO NOT breast-feed while receiving treatment with Tarceva.
Call your HCP right away if you have these signs or symptoms:
- New or worsening skin rash
- Serious or ongoing diarrhea, nausea, loss of appetite, or vomiting
- New or worsening shortness of breath or cough
- Eye irritation
The most common side effects are generally mild to moderate rash and diarrhea.
It is important that you tell your HCP about all of the medicines and herbal supplements you are taking.
- DO NOT start taking any new medicines or herbal supplements before talking with your HCP.
- DO NOT eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while on treatment with Tarceva, except under the care of your HCP.
Smoking may affect how well Tarceva works for you.
- If you smoke, you should stop smoking before starting treatment with Tarceva.
- If you continue to smoke, you should talk to your HCP before taking Tarceva.
Always let your HCP know if you have any side effects, and ask about the best way to handle them.
Tarceva is not right for everyone. Ask your HCP if once-daily Tarceva is right for you.
You may report side effects to the FDA at 1 (800) FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. You may also report side effects to Genentech at 1 (888) 835-2555.
