Advanced lung cancer is the term given to lung cancer that has spread from where it originated from in your lung to other parts of the body. It is also referred to as metastatic lung cancer.
Sadly, advanced lung cancer cannot usually be cured. However, advances in treatment mean more people are living well and living longer with advanced lung cancer.
In this page, we’ll cover:
- Where lung cancer spreads
- Treatments for advanced lung cancer
- Coping with advanced lung cancer
Where lung cancer spreads
If undetected and untreated, lung cancer can spread to other parts of your body. Most commonly, lung cancer may spread to:
- The lymph nodes
- Other parts of the lung, or the other lung
- The brain
- Bones
- The liver
- The adrenal glands.
This is known as secondary cancer.
Treatment of metastatic lung cancer
If your cancer has spread to other parts of your body, you may have specific treatment for the secondary cancer. This may help alleviate the symptoms being caused by the secondary cancer, or to stop it growing any further.
For example, if the cancer has spread to your bones, you may be experiencing some pain. In this case, your oncologist may consider radiotherapy as this could reduce the pain.
If the cancer has spread to your brain, there are several treatment options available. These include radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, surgery and gamma knife radiosurgery.
Brain metastases
It is quite common for late stage lung cancer to spread to the brain. Brain metastases are very common with small cell lung cancer and are more common within certain sub-types of non-small cell lung cancer, such as adenocarcinoma than with squamous cell carcinoma.
Bone metastases
Lung cancer is the third most common cause of bone metastases. Lung cancer with bone metastases refers to secondary or metastatic tumours that are formed from cancer cells that have broken away from a primary lung cancer and spread through the lymphatic system or blood stream to the bones
Liver metastases
Lung cancer with liver metastases refers to secondary or metastatic tumours that are formed from cancer cells that have broken away from a primary lung cancer and spread to the liver.
Coping with advanced lung cancer
It is very distressing to learn your cancer has advanced. The news can impact you both physically and mentally.
Your lung cancer team will be able to support you if you are experiencing side effects or in pain. This may involve having a new treatment specifically to help manage the symptoms. You should always inform your team if ever you feel unwell or have any side effects.
It is also important to have emotional support too. This may be your family or friends. You may also benefit from using our support services, such as registering for an online support session, joining our lung cancer forum or signing up for peer-led support.
You may also find both physical and emotional support through a local hospice.
Hospice care is not just about end-of-life care. Hospices offer a range of personalised care provided by professional staff and volunteers, including:
- pain and symptom control
- psychological and social support
- rehabilitation
- complementary therapies, such as massage and aromatherapy
- counselling
- spiritual care
- practical and financial advice
- support in bereavement.
Hospice care is free and provided for however long it is needed – days, weeks or even months.
If you do not have a hospice nearby, hospice care may also be offered in the community or at home.
Been diagnosed with advanced lung cancer?
If you have been diagnosed with advanced lung cancer, our nurses can explain everything and answer any questions you may have. Call 0800 358 7200 or send us a message.