Dr. Osarogiagbon on Improving Lung Cancer Cure Rates

Raymond U. Osarogiagbon, MD, FACP, Boston Baskin Cancer Foundation, Baptist Memorial Medical Group, discusses treating patients with lung cancer that have the potential to be cured.

While there is a population of patients with lung cancer that can be cured, often this does not occur, says Osarogiagbon. The vast majority of patients with lung cancer that can be cured are people who have had surgery. However, approximately half of the patients that undergo surgery fail to achieve cure.

The most important factor in determining if a patient is likely to be cured from surgery is how extensive their disease is. If the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, especially those outside of the lung, they are more high-risk

The further out the cancer has spread the higher the risk is, says Osarogiagbon. If a patient is determined to be high-risk after surgery, they may be able to receive radiation or chemotherapy to lower their risk and increase their chance of survival.