Can immunotherapy shrink tumors in both lungs at age 35?

Question

Hello doctor,

I was diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer, and it has now spread to both lungs. My doctor mentioned immunotherapy and said that my PD-L1 level is 60%, which is considered a positive sign. However, I do not want to have false hope without fully understanding what it means.

Can immunotherapy shrink tumors in both lungs at the age of 35?
Does a high PD-L1 level actually mean that immunotherapy is more likely to work, or is the response still unpredictable?
How often does immunotherapy successfully shrink tumors in both lungs?
How long do these responses typically last compared with chemotherapy?

I am just trying to understand what is realistically possible in this situation.

Kindly advise.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

First of all, I am very sorry to hear about your diagnosis of lung cancer. However, it is important to know that non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) can respond well to treatment in many cases, which is one of the encouraging aspects of this condition.

Regarding your question about why immunotherapy or targeted therapy may be recommended instead of chemotherapy or surgery, the choice depends on several factors. These include the stage of the disease, whether it is an early-stage cancer or an advanced-stage cancer, the patient's overall health, performance status, genetic test results, and the biological behavior of the cancer cells.

If the cancer is at an advanced stage and has spread beyond the lung, immunotherapy or targeted therapy is often preferred. Immunotherapy can help control the cancer throughout the body, including metastatic sites, and may also reduce the size of the primary tumor. In many patients, the side effects of immunotherapy are more manageable than those associated with chemotherapy.

On the other hand, if the cancer is diagnosed at an earlier stage, treatment may involve surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination of these approaches. The most appropriate treatment plan is determined after evaluating all clinical and diagnostic findings.

A PD-L1 (programmed death-ligand 1) level of 60% is generally considered favorable for immunotherapy because higher PD-L1 expression is often associated with a better response to certain immunotherapy medications. However, treatment response can still vary from person to person, and no therapy can guarantee a specific outcome.

I hope this is clear, and if you have any questions at any time, please feel free to ask.

Thank you.