Lung Cancer Clinical Trials

Lung cancer may be primary, or secondary. Primary is where the cancer starts in the lung and secondary is where it starts elsewhere in the body and spreads to the lungs. 

There are two main groups of primary lung cancer. These are non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). They are named for the size of the cancer cells when seen under a microscope.

NSCLC is the most common type, accounting for around 80-85% of cases. NSCLC has three main subtypes: squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and large cell carcinoma.

Squamous cell (epidermoid) carcinoma starts in the cells lining the airways of the lungs, usually close to the main windpipe.

Adenocarcinoma starts in the mucus-producing cells. These are in the deeper part of the lungs, away from the windpipe. It makes up about 40% of lung cancers.

Large cell (undifferentiated) carcinoma can appear in any part of the lung – however, they are not squamous cell or adenocarcinoma. 

Common lung cancer symptoms include a new and persistent cough or a change in an ongoing cough; breathlessness; coughing up blood; chest pain and/or shoulder pain; a recurring chest infection that does not go away (ie. pneumonia or bronchitis), and more.

Treatment for lung cancer varies, depending on the type of cancer, the stage of cancer, lung function, and your general health. 

Early stages (I or II) of NSCLC are treated with surgery or radiation therapy.

The locally advanced stage (III) is treated with surgery and chemotherapy, or radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

The advanced stage (IV) is treated with palliative chemotherapy or palliative radiation therapy, depending on the symptoms.

SCLC is not treated with surgery. During early or locally advanced stages (I-III), chemotherapy and radiation therapy are used. 

For the advanced stage (IV), SCLC is mainly treated with palliative chemotherapy. 

For early or localled advanced lung cancers, curative treatments such as chemotherapy and targeted therapy, may be given with the aim of removing all signs and symptions of the cancer.

However, as lung cancer causes vague symptoms in the early stages, many people are diagnosed only when the cancer is in an advanced stage. At this stage, cancer has spread outside the lung to other parts of the body. Treatment at this stage is focused on slowing down the spread of cancer and managing any symptoms as no cure is currently available.

Researchers are constantly searching for better treatments and potential cures. HealthMatch helps you find potential clinical trials you can contribute to today.

A clinical trial is a scientific study involving patient or non-patient (healthy) human volunteers. They help determine whether medicines are safe and effective to introduce as new treatments for a particular disease or condition. 

HealthMatch matches you to clinical trials, in an easy-to-understand process. 

After completing a medical questionnaire, our platform searches for and filters eligible trials for you. You’re able to view matches and apply for trials, on your trial dashboard. 

We’ll put you in direct contact with the trial group once you’ve been accepted. We won’t stop searching until we’ve found you the right match.