UChicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center
Marina Chiara Garassino, MD, examines a patient
Medical oncologist Marina Chiara Garassino, MD, left, is an internationally known expert in lung cancer care and research.

A diagnosis of metastatic, or stage 4, lung cancer can be frightening. It means the lung cancer has spread outside the initial location in the lung to another body part(s). 

Patients and their loved ones need to know that treatments for metastatic lung cancer have advanced dramatically in recent decades. There are new targeted drugs and immunotherapies, improved radiation technologies, and less invasive surgeries. 

In addition, cancer experts at the UChicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center discovered that certain metastatic cancers — known as oligometastatic cancers — can be controlled for longer periods of time with more aggressive treatment approaches. In rare cases, these cancers can be cured.

“Oligometastatic” means the cancer has spread to a limited number of sites. Our lung cancer physicians currently treat oligometastatic lung cancer with targeted radiation and/or surgery in addition to drug therapies. They are also conducting clinical trials to determine whether patients with more advanced metastatic lung cancers would benefit from similar treatment regimens.  

Thanks to these forward-thinking innovations, patients with metastatic lung cancer — both non-small and small cell lung cancers — are living longer than they did 10 years ago. We are optimistic that research at UChicago Medicine and elsewhere will ensure that more patients with metastatic lung cancer can soon look forward to even longer lives. 

Our lung cancer team also places great emphasis on helping to ensure our patients have the quality of life that they desire during and after treatment. UChicago Medicine offers a wide range of treatments and supportive services to help prevent or relieve pain, breathing difficulties and other symptoms.

Frequently Asked Questions About Metastatic Lung Cancer

How is metastatic lung cancer treated?

A variety of factors influence how our lung cancer team treats each patient’s metastatic lung cancer. Each patient’s treatment plan is designed to obtain the best possible outcomes for that patient, taking into account the specific cancer diagnosis, how advanced the cancer is, and the patient’s personal preferences.

When a patient is diagnosed with oligometastatic lung cancer, we often recommend a combination of two or more treatments:

What sets UChicago Medicine apart in the treatment of metastatic lung cancer?

We offer an extensive clinical trial portfolio, which provides our lung cancer patients with access to leading-edge treatments that are not commonly available elsewhere. For example, we conduct clinical trials on new targeted medications for specific genetic mutations that cause lung cancer. In addition, we continue to explore how to best diagnose and treat oligometastatic disease, with the goal of further improving patient outcomes. 
 
Our lung cancer specialists believe in a team approach to diagnosing and treating cancer. This means that all of our experienced cancer specialists — which includes medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, thoracic surgeons, pathologists, radiologists, nurses and others — are involved in each case, combining their deep expertise to determine how to best treat the cancer.

In addition, our dedicated supportive oncology program provides a range of supportive care services to patients and their families, including mental health counseling, social work services and more. Our patients have access to many other supportive services, including:

  • Nurse practitioners who will help you navigate your cancer treatment
  • Nutritionists to help maintain a healthy diet
  • Pain control experts
  • Tobacco cessation support
metastatic cancer illustration

Treating Metastatic Cancer with Optimism and Hope

If you have been diagnosed with metastatic cancer, more therapies may be available to you than you think. Our cancer specialists are eager to help you understand all of your options.

Limited Metastatic Cancer Program

Request an Appointment

We are currently experiencing a high volume of inquiries, leading to delayed response times. For faster assistance, please call 1-855-702-8222 to schedule your appointment.

If you have symptoms of an urgent nature, please call your doctor or go to the emergency room immediately.

For Referring Physicians

To refer a patient for lung cancer care, please call UCM Physician Connect at 1-800-824-2282

 

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By submitting this form you acknowledge the risk of sending this information by email and agree not to hold the University of Chicago or University of Chicago Medical Center liable for any damages you may incur as a result of the transfer or use of this information. The use or transmittal of this form does not create a physician-contact relationship. More information regarding the confidentiality of this request can be found in our Privacy Policy.