A lung cancer diagnosis can be life-changing, bringing uncertainty and many questions about available treatments. At Regional Cancer Care Associates (RCCA), we understand the importance of staying informed about the latest advancements in lung cancer treatment. With a network of board-certified oncologists and hematologists across more than 20 locations in New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, and the Washington, D.C., area, RCCA remains committed to providing education, guidance, and access to leading-edge cancer care.
Immunotherapy drugs leverage your existing immune system to fight your lung cancer. These treatments can either boost your immune system or change the way your immune system works to target lung cancer cells.
Cancer cells can hide from your immune system, causing your natural defense system to remain inactive. Well-known immunotherapy drugs include KEYTRUDA® and OPDIVO®, both of which work by activating your immune system so it can recognize and identify cancer cells that are hiding. In recent years, these drugs have been approved to treat several types of lung cancer; your physician can help you determine whether immunotherapy treatments are right for you.
Targeted therapies, sometimes called precision medicine, use drugs to precisely target certain types of cancer cells while avoiding healthy, normal cells. Targeted therapy can be used by itself, or in combination with other treatments like traditional chemotherapy. These therapies work by differentiating between cancer cells and normal cells to block unhealthy cells from dividing and creating new cells. Targeted therapy treatments may also produce fewer side effects than traditional chemotherapy.
Lung cancer research is constantly evolving. Clinical trials can provide patients with the opportunity for a better outcome and quality of life while playing a vital role in the development of treatments for lung cancer. RCCA participates in clinical trials through US Oncology Research, which has played a role in more than 100 FDA-approved cancer therapies.
These are clinical studies that are typically available in major hospital systems in large cities, but RCCA can offer them close to home, where patients can have the support of their family and friends.
Smoking tobacco is, by far, the leading cause of lung cancer. About 87% of all lung cancer cases in the U.S. can be attributed to smoking. However, even if you quit smoking or have never smoked at all, you can still develop lung cancer.
Other risk factors for lung cancer include:
Even seemingly trivial symptoms, such as a cough that doesn’t go away or shoulder pain, could indicate lung cancer. Every case is different. Some patients report feeling extremely ill, while others do not. Common signs of lung cancer include:
Once the cancer has progressed and spread to other parts of the body, patients may also experience a loss of appetite, unintended weight loss, blood clots, unusual bleeding, neck or facial swelling, memory loss, headaches, bone or joint pain, fatigue, or an unsteady walk.
The earlier you talk to your doctor about any new symptoms, the better.
At RCCA, we recognize the impact that lung cancer has on patients and their families. By staying at the forefront of advancements in treatment, we aim to provide valuable information and resources to those navigating a diagnosis. With locations throughout New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, and the Washington, D.C., area, RCCA remains dedicated to making expert cancer care accessible to those in need. For more information, visit our Lung Cancer Information Page.
The lung cancer specialists at RCCA will work with you to create the optimal treatment plan for your lung cancer. For more information about these new advancements in lung cancer treatments, or to schedule an appointment, please call 844-410-7301 or contact RCCA.
For more information or to schedule an appointment,
call 844-346-7222. You can also schedule an appointment by calling the RCCA location nearest you.
This time the diagnosis was definitive – and devastating. After first being told that she had bronchitis, and then pneumonia, Joanne Teeney had traveled from
What if there was a safe, painless, and quick screening test that could reduce the number of lung cancer deaths by 20%? And what if that test was covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and most commercial insurers?
For 2022, let’s resolve to stay active with cancer screenings! According to the American Cancer Society more than 1.9 million Americans are expected to be diagnosed with cancer. The best way to protect ourselves from poor outcomes is detection in early stages when cancer can be cured.
Regional Cancer Care Associates is one of fewer than 200 medical practices in the country selected to participate in the Oncology Care Model (OCM); a recent Medicare initiative aimed at improving care coordination and access to and quality of care for Medicare beneficiaries undergoing chemotherapy treatment.
