Making the Decision to Have PDT for Lung Cancer

Your doctor may suggest PDT if you have stage 0 lung cancer. That means you have a very early tumor that is smaller than a dime. And, it is sitting on the inside of your windpipe so that it is reachable via a tube passed through your airways. Your doctor may also suggest PDT if you have blockages in your airways from advanced lung cancer, meaning it has spread.

It is not for people whose tumors:

• Are larger than a centimeter (less than ½ inch)

• Are not at or near the surface of the windpipe

• Have spread to other parts of the body

You may have PDT more than one time. For instance, you may need to treat the same tumor if it comes back or to treat smaller nearby tumors. It may be used with other treatments including surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy.   The order that you get these treatments may vary.