A new genetic test, combined with CT screening, can identify aggressive lung cancer at an early stage. Results may help determine the best therapy options to help patients live longer.

Radiation is a common method to kill or shrink cancer cells. Lung cancer patients taking heart medication during radiotherapy may have better results than those not taking these drugs.

Vaccines are showing promise as medication therapy for patients with advanced-stage lung cancer. A new vaccine, however, recently failed to extend the lives of certain cancer patients.

Targeted therapy can do wonders. The trick is finding which patients have the genetic mutation or some other alteration that drugs can effectively target.

Gene therapies to treat lung cancer are continuing to emerge. A new combination of drugs may help lung cancer patients live longer. Several gene mutations have been identified in lung cancer cells.

Targeting cancer gene mutations has been changing the way non-small cell lung cancer ( NSCLC ) is treated. As scientists learn more about the genetic makeup of tumors, more personalized therapy has become available.

When non-small cell lung cancer ( NSCLC ) grows again after shrinking on targeted therapy, patients may turn to chemotherapy. Adding local therapy to targeted drugs could offer another solution.

When lung cancer starts to spread, it often goes to the bone. This is the site of metastasis (spread) for other cancers as well. A comparison of bone medications found one to be superior.

Older lung cancer patients who have not responded to standard chemotherapy may be reluctant to continue treatment. Later-stage drug treatment, however, can be effective. Older patients often go under-treated because of concerns that they will not be able to tolerate certain toxic therapies.

The anti-cancer drug erlotinib ( Tarceva ) may slow or stop cancer depending on the type and extent of the disease. A blood test can help patients find out how they will respond to the drug.