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Treatment of Stage IIIA Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Source: Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment (PDQ®)–Patient Version, National Cancer Institute.
Source updated: May 16, 2025 · Captured 2026-09-09.
Selected source text with whitespace normalised. This Triangle page is not an NCI PDQ summary. Independent clinical review is pending.
Treatment of stage IIIA non-small cell lung cancer that can be removed with surgery may include:
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chemotherapy followed by surgery
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chemotherapy and radiation therapy followed by surgery
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immunotherapy and chemotherapy followed by surgery
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immunotherapy and chemotherapy followed by surgery and more immunotherapy
surgery followed by chemotherapy
surgery followed by targeted therapy
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surgery followed by chemotherapy and immunotherapy
surgery followed by immunotherapy
surgery followed by chemotherapy and radiation therapy
surgery followed by radiation therapy
Treatment of stage IIIA non-small cell lung cancer that cannot be removed with surgery may include:
chemotherapy and radiation therapy
chemotherapy and radiation therapy followed by immunotherapy
external radiation therapy alone
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internal radiation therapy or laser surgery as palliative treatment to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life
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Learn more about supportive care for signs and symptoms including cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain at Cardiopulmonary Syndromes and Cancer Pain.
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Non-small cell lung cancer of the superior sulcus, often called Pancoast tumor, begins in the upper part of the lung and spreads to nearby tissues such as the chest wall, large blood vessels, and spine. Treatment of Pancoast tumors may include:
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surgery
chemotherapy and radiation therapy followed by surgery
radiation therapy alone
Some stage IIIA non-small cell lung tumors that have grown into the chest wall may be completely removed. Treatment of chest wall tumors may include:
surgery
surgery and radiation therapy
radiation therapy alone
chemotherapy combined with radiation therapy and/or surgery
Learn more about these treatments and find a list of chemotherapy drugs for lung cancer in the Treatment Option Overview.
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Use our clinical trial search to find NCI-supported cancer clinical trials that are accepting patients. You can search for trials based on the type of cancer, the age of the patient, and where the trials are being done. General information about clinical trials is also available.
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Preserved source evidence · Independent clinical review pending · Not medical advice