What is molecular targeted therapy for lung cancer and what are its advantages? A part of lung cancer is caused by a certain gene-based genetic abnormality, and the treatment targeting this abnormal gene is called targeted therapy. Targeted therapy has developed rapidly in recent years, which has significantly improved the survival period of lung cancer patients. Moreover, targeted therapy drugs are known for their low toxicity and side effects, which provide a good choice for patients who are not able to tolerate chemotherapy in poor health condition. In addition, targeted therapy drugs are mostly oral preparations, which are convenient to use. Which lung cancer patients are suitable for taking targeted therapy drugs? Targeted therapy drugs must have a target. Abnormal genes that lead to lung cancer are the targets. There are two common types of gene abnormalities in lung cancer, gene mutation and abnormal gene amplification. Genetic test is an essential test before taking targeted therapy, because different genetic abnormalities require different targeted therapy drugs. At present, the genes routinely tested in China are: EGFR gene mutation and abnormal amplification of ALK gene. The incidence of the former is about 40% and the latter is about 7%. What are the common targeted therapy drugs for lung cancer? There are three kinds of targeted therapeutic drugs for EGFR gene mutation, Erexa, Trocar and Kemena. The targeted drug against abnormal amplification of ALK gene is crizotinib. There are still many other targeted therapy drugs under development. What do I need to pay attention to when taking targeted therapy drugs for lung cancer? Targeted therapies are mostly oral agents, and most patients do not need to be hospitalized. Outside the hospital, you need to pay attention to any side effects and communicate with your primary care physician in time, such as severe loss of appetite, diarrhea, skin rashes, difficulty in breathing, etc. Targeted therapies also require regular checkups to assess efficacy and make timely adjustments to the treatment regimen. Some medications are mutually resistant to targeted therapy treatments, so if you have other discomforts that require medication, please inform your physician of the medications you are taking or consult your lung cancer primary care physician. What is radiation therapy (radiotherapy)? Radiotherapy refers to the use of radiation first irradiation to kill cancer cells, eliminate tumors, prolong the survival of patients and improve the quality of life. Radiotherapy is a localized treatment with relatively few side effects. Depending on the patient’s condition, radiotherapy can be used alone or in combination with chemotherapy. Radiotherapy for lung cancer is chest radiotherapy, which is irradiated for a few minutes every day and lasts for about 40 days, depending on the patient’s condition. What are the side effects of radiotherapy? The side effects of radiotherapy are less serious than those of chemotherapy. The most serious side effect is radiation pneumonitis, which usually resolves on its own. Other side effects include fatigue, laryngeal edema, cough, fever, chest pain, stomach upset, etc. The doctor will also take a number of measures to prevent these side effects. Again, doctors will take a series of measures to prevent these side effects. Is lung cancer really a terminal disease? For cancer, we usually use the five-year survival rate, i.e. how many percent of patients are still alive five years after diagnosis, to indicate the severity of the disease or the effectiveness of treatment. The five-year survival rate of lung cancer is mainly related to the stage of cancer, which is 57-67%, 39-55%, 23% and 5% in patients with stage I, II, III and IV respectively. In addition, the survival period of lung cancer is also related to various factors such as physical fitness, nutritional status, and psychosocial situation. Positive anti-cancer mentality, proper nutritional support and physical exercise are all essential to prolong the survival period of lung cancer.