Introduction

November 2009

Key Points:

• Chemotherapy for stage IV non-small cell lung cancer may lengthen a patient’s life and improve his or her quality of life.
  
  
• This patient guide discusses which drugs, and which combination of drugs, are best for patients with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer based on a review of clinical trial results. These recommendations depend on the patient and what type of treatment he or she has already received.
  
  
• Talk with your doctor about your health and the treatment option that is best for you. In older patients, age should not be the only factor when deciding on the appropriate treatment.

To help doctors give their patients the best possible care, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) asks its medical experts to develop recommendations for specific areas of cancer care. In 2003, ASCO updated a clinical practice guideline from 1997 on the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer. This guideline was revised again in 2009 to focus on chemotherapy for stage IV non-small cell lung cancer. This guide for patients is based on these updated recommendations.

As you read this guide, keep in mind that every person is different when considering treatment options. These recommendations are meant to help you talk with your doctor about treatment options for stage IV non-small cell lung cancer. They are not meant to replace your judgment or that of your health care team. The final decisions you and your doctor make will be based on your individual circumstances.

Information in ASCO’s patient education materials is not intended as medical advice or as a substitute for the treating doctor’s own professional judgment; nor does it imply ASCO endorsement of any product, service, or company.

Last Updated: November 16, 2009

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