Treatment of Stage IIIA Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Treatment of stage IIIA non-small cell lung cancer that can be removed with surgery may include:

• chemotherapy followed by surgery
• chemotherapy and radiation therapy followed by surgery
• immunotherapy, such as , and chemotherapy followed by surgery
• immunotherapy, such as , , nivolumab, or , and chemotherapy followed by surgery and more immunotherapy
• surgery followed by chemotherapy
• surgery followed by targeted therapy, such as
• surgery followed by chemotherapy and immunotherapy, such as pembrolizumab or
• surgery followed by immunotherapy, such as atezolizumab
• 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, such as durvalumab
• external radiation therapy alone
• internal radiation therapy or laser surgery as palliative treatment to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life

Learn more about supportive care for signs and symptoms including cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain at Cardiopulmonary Syndromes and Cancer Pain.

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:

• 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 in the Treatment Option Overview.

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.