HomeAnswersPulmonology (Asthma Doctors)lung cancer

At 30, which therapy can cure my brother’s lung cancer?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hello, Doctor,

At 30, my brother has been diagnosed with lung cancer. According to his CT scan, it has affected both of his lungs. He has had a persistent cough, chest tightness, and shortness of breath for about 3 months before diagnosis. The biopsy says it is a lung adenocarcinoma. He has hemoglobin of 11.4 g/dL and slightly elevated LDH levels. He has never smoked and has had no major medical problems before this. The doctors say he needs chemotherapy along with radiation therapy. Please tell me,

  1. Is chemotherapy and radiation useful in bilateral lung cancer at such a young age?

  2. Which things determine the remission and cure?

  3. Can targeted therapy or immunotherapy be useful in young patients?

Kindly help.

Thank you.
Answered by Dr. Amandeep Singh Arneja

Education:

MD RESPIRATORY MEDICINE

Professional Bio:

I am Dr. Amandeep Singh Arneja, a dedicated Chest Physician and Senior Resident in Pulmonary Medicine at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College (JNMC), Wardha, with extensive training in the management of complex respiratory and critical care conditions. I completed my M.B.B.S. from Universal College of Medical Sciences, Tribhuvan University (2016) and M.D. in Respiratory Medicine from Shri Shankaracharya Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhilai (2025), where I gained hands-on expertise in managing ICU patients, performing advanced diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, and conducting research in pulmonary diseases. My areas of expertise include: Management of asthma, COPD, tuberculosis, and interstitial lung disease Critical care management (ICU care, mechanical ventilation) Pulmonary function testing (spirometry, DLCO) Interventional procedures (thoracentesis, ICD insertion, bronchoscopy) Sleep medicine and polysomnography Research, academic writing, and clinical presentations I hold certifications in Good Clinical Practice and Biomedical Research. I am a proud member of the National College of Chest Physicians (NCCP). Alongside my pulmonary expertise, I have also completed a CPCDM Fellowship in Diabetes from RSSDI, enabling me to provide holistic care for patients with respiratory diseases complicated by diabetes. Currently, I am also pursuing a Fellowship in Critical Care Medicine, which further enhances my ability to manage critically ill patients with respiratory and systemic illnesses. With multiple research publications, conference presentations (NAPCON, SSIMSCON), and a strong academic background, I strive to combine evidence-based medicine with compassionate patient care. My mission is to provide comprehensive, high-quality care to patients suffering from respiratory and lifestyle-related diseases.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

I understand how you are feeling; your brother is young and has never smoked. Lung adenocarcinoma can sometimes occur in non-smokers.

Cancer in both lungs signifies the disease is more advanced. In such situations, chemotherapy and radiation therapy both can be used. This shrinks the tumors and improves symptoms like

  1. Cough.

  2. Breathlessness.

Doctors aim for complete cure, although some patients can achieve very good remission for long periods.

The treatment result depends on several factors such as

  1. The stage of the cancer and its spread outside the lungs.

  2. The patient’s health and their response to treatment.

  3. Younger patients often tolerate treatment better, which can sometimes lead to better responses.

Since your brother is young and a non-smoker, the tumor needs molecular testing. Many such patients have mutations like EGFR, ALK, ROS1, or others, and if one of these is present, targeted therapy can work very effectively. In my experience, I have seen young patients with these mutations respond remarkably well to targeted medicines, sometimes much better than with standard chemotherapy.

Immunotherapy is another treatment option that may be used depending on specific tumor markers. The final treatment plan is usually decided based on biopsy results, molecular testing, and overall staging.

I hope this information helps you.

Feel free to ask further queries.

Thank you.

Medically reviewed by iCliniq medical review team
Published At July 2, 2026
Reviewed At July 2, 2026

Education:

MD RESPIRATORY MEDICINE

Professional Bio:

I am Dr. Amandeep Singh Arneja, a dedicated Chest Physician and Senior Resident in Pulmonary Medicine at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College (JNMC), Wardha, with extensive training in the management of complex respiratory and critical care conditions. I completed my M.B.B.S. from Universal College of Medical Sciences, Tribhuvan University (2016) and M.D. in Respiratory Medicine from Shri Shankaracharya Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhilai (2025), where I gained hands-on expertise in managing ICU patients, performing advanced diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, and conducting research in pulmonary diseases. My areas of expertise include: Management of asthma, COPD, tuberculosis, and interstitial lung disease Critical care management (ICU care, mechanical ventilation) Pulmonary function testing (spirometry, DLCO) Interventional procedures (thoracentesis, ICD insertion, bronchoscopy) Sleep medicine and polysomnography Research, academic writing, and clinical presentations I hold certifications in Good Clinical Practice and Biomedical Research. I am a proud member of the National College of Chest Physicians (NCCP). Alongside my pulmonary expertise, I have also completed a CPCDM Fellowship in Diabetes from RSSDI, enabling me to provide holistic care for patients with respiratory diseases complicated by diabetes. Currently, I am also pursuing a Fellowship in Critical Care Medicine, which further enhances my ability to manage critically ill patients with respiratory and systemic illnesses. With multiple research publications, conference presentations (NAPCON, SSIMSCON), and a strong academic background, I strive to combine evidence-based medicine with compassionate patient care. My mission is to provide comprehensive, high-quality care to patients suffering from respiratory and lifestyle-related diseases.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Amandeep Singh Arneja
Dr. Amandeep Singh Arneja

Pulmonology (Asthma Doctors)

Education:

MD RESPIRATORY MEDICINE

Professional Bio:

I am Dr. Amandeep Singh Arneja, a dedicated Chest Physician and Senior Resident in Pulmonary Medicine at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College (JNMC), Wardha, with extensive training in the management of complex respiratory and critical care conditions. I completed my M.B.B.S. from Universal College of Medical Sciences, Tribhuvan University (2016) and M.D. in Respiratory Medicine from Shri Shankaracharya Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhilai (2025), where I gained hands-on expertise in managing ICU patients, performing advanced diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, and conducting research in pulmonary diseases. My areas of expertise include: Management of asthma, COPD, tuberculosis, and interstitial lung disease Critical care management (ICU care, mechanical ventilation) Pulmonary function testing (spirometry, DLCO) Interventional procedures (thoracentesis, ICD insertion, bronchoscopy) Sleep medicine and polysomnography Research, academic writing, and clinical presentations I hold certifications in Good Clinical Practice and Biomedical Research. I am a proud member of the National College of Chest Physicians (NCCP). Alongside my pulmonary expertise, I have also completed a CPCDM Fellowship in Diabetes from RSSDI, enabling me to provide holistic care for patients with respiratory diseases complicated by diabetes. Currently, I am also pursuing a Fellowship in Critical Care Medicine, which further enhances my ability to manage critically ill patients with respiratory and systemic illnesses. With multiple research publications, conference presentations (NAPCON, SSIMSCON), and a strong academic background, I strive to combine evidence-based medicine with compassionate patient care. My mission is to provide comprehensive, high-quality care to patients suffering from respiratory and lifestyle-related diseases.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality
Listen to related tracks in our music library

Related Questions

Chemotherapy and Blood Cancer

Metastatic Adenocarcinoma - Causes, Signs and Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

Lung Cancer and Skin: Exploring the Association

Chemotherapy for Testicular Cancer - An Overview

Lung Cancer Screening: Racial and Ethnic Disparities

Is adenocarcinoma cancer curable?

Comprehensive Second Opinion

Read answers about:

chemotherapyadenocarcinomalung cancer

Ask your health query to a doctor online

Pulmonology (Asthma Doctors)

*guaranteed answer within 4 hours

Disclaimer: No content published on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice or treatment by a trained physician. Seek advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with questions you may have regarding your symptoms and medical condition for a complete medical diagnosis. Do not delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this website. Read our Editorial Process to know how we create content for health articles and queries.