TriangleFOR PATIENTS · SOURCE READING
Treatment of Stage IIIB and Stage IIIC 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 IIIB non-small cell lung cancer and stage IIIC non-small cell lung cancer may include:
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chemotherapy followed by external radiation therapy
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chemotherapy with radiation therapy
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immunotherapy and chemotherapy followed by surgery and more immunotherapy
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immunotherapy before or after chemotherapy and radiation therapy
targeted therapy before or after chemotherapy and radiation therapy
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external radiation therapy alone for people who cannot have chemotherapy
external radiation therapy as palliative therapy to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life
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laser therapy and/or internal radiation therapy to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life
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Learn more about these treatments and find a list of chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy drugs for lung cancer in the Treatment Option Overview.
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Learn more about supportive care for signs and symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain at Cardiopulmonary Syndromes and Cancer Pain.
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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