At The London Clinic Lung Centre, we use the latest advancements in lung cancer treatment, such as immunotherapy, targeted therapies and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), to ensure that every patient receives the most relevant care. With access to clinical trials, advanced diagnostics and collaborative tumour boards, we are committed to providing the latest and most effective treatments available.
Advanced medical treatments for lung cancer
Also known as: Advanced lung cancer treatments, including immunotherapy and targeted drug therapies
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What are advanced medical treatments?
At The London Clinic Lung Centre, we are dedicated to providing advanced medical treatments that help control lung cancer, reduce side effects and improve survival rates. Our advanced therapies are tailored to meet the unique needs of each patient, and we offer a variety of options to support your treatment journey, including:
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy uses targeted antibodies (proteins produced by the immune system) to identify and attack specific markers on cancer cells. These markers are unique molecules or proteins found on the surface of cancer cells, which act like ‘flags’ that can help the immune system recognise and target the cancer.
The aim is to train your immune system to find and attack cancer cells. You will either have immunotherapy for lung cancer on its own or it may be combined with chemotherapy.
Targeted therapies
Targeted therapies are drugs designed to specifically identify and attack cancer cells. By focusing on the proteins that help cancer cells grow, divide and spread, these therapies can interfere with the cancer’s ability to grow. Because they target the cancer cells directly, rather than affecting nearby healthy cells, they sometimes cause fewer side effects.
Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs)
Traditionally, chemotherapy works by entering your bloodstream and circulating throughout your body. While effective, this process can also damage healthy cells, which is why the drugs used in chemotherapy tend to be less powerful than alternatives.
ADCs, however, deliver powerful chemotherapy drugs directly to specific cancerous cells to damage or destroy them. Due to the targeted nature of this therapy, antibody-drug conjugates for lung cancer spare surrounding healthy tissue, allowing us to use more powerful drugs.
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Common side effects of immunotherapy can include skin reactions at the needle site, such as:
- A rash
- Swelling
- Pain
- Redness
- Itching
Because immunotherapy makes the immune system more active, you may also experience flu-like symptoms, such as:
- A high fever
- Shivering
- Weakness and fatigue
- Dizziness
- Congestion
- Difficulty breathing
- Nausea
- Muscle or joint aches
- A headache
- Low or high blood pressure
Alternatively, side effects may include:
- Fluid retention, which causes swelling
- An irregular or fast heartbeat
- Diarrhoea
- Infection
- Inflammation of your organs
The most common side effects of targeted therapy include:
- Diarrhoea
- Liver damage
- Changes in blood clotting and wound healing
- High blood pressure
- Tiredness
- Sores in your mouth
- Inflammation around your nails
- Hair colour changes
- A rash or dry skin
Possible side effects of ADCs include:
- Anaemia
- Nausea and vomiting
- Constipation or diarrhoea
- A cough
- A rash
- Tiredness
- A high fever
- Loss of appetite
- A headache
- Pneumonia
- Haemorrhaging (bleeding)
- Low levels of potassium
- Low white blood cell count
- Low platelet count
- Nerve damage that can cause pain, numbness or weakness
What to expect during advanced medical treatments for lung cancer
Step 1 Preparing for advanced medical treatments
Before recommending the most suitable treatment, your consultant will review your case and discuss the available options with you. They will explain how long treatment may last, any possible side effects, and what to expect during the process.
If you're having targeted therapy, a biopsy may be carried out to test for changes in your lung cancer. Based on the results, your consultant will advise if a specific targeted drug is appropriate and outline your personalised treatment plan.
Step 2 During advanced medical treatments
The drugs used in advanced medical treatments are sometimes given intravenously (through an IV) into a vein, and will be administered by a nurse in our dedicated chemotherapy day unit.
Depending on the treatment, it can take anywhere from ten minutes to several hours. Rest assured, your nurse will make sure you are comfortable and have everything you need before your treatment begins.
In some cases, certain drugs may be given as an injection in the clinic, or as tablets which you can take at home.
Step 3 Recovery and aftercare
As advanced medical treatments are typically delivered in an outpatient setting, you will be able to go straight home after each treatment session. Depending on the type of therapy and drug you are receiving, you may be given medication to take home with you to help you manage any side effects.
Your care team will closely monitor your side effects and how well the treatment is working between each treatment session, ensuring that you feel supported and informed throughout your treatment journey.
We offer Fixed Price Packages
Where possible, we’ll provide a fixed-price package for your hospital care. This covers your hospital stay, nursing, and use of our facilities, giving you a clear guide to what those costs will be.
- Pre-op assessment
- Hospital stay, nursing care and meals
- Tests, scans and physio during your stay
- Take-home medication (up to 5 days)
- Post-op follow-up appointments
- Standard equipment or prosthesis (if needed)
- Unplanned extended stay or ITU (if clinically required)
- Initial consultation and any tests done during it
- Consultant and anaesthetist fees (quoted separately)
- Physio or therapy before or after your stay
- Diagnostics before admission (unless agreed in your plan)
- Specialist medication beyond 5 days
- Ambulance transport or bespoke prosthetics
Your consultant’s fees are quoted separately and shared directly by their office after your consultation. These professional fees cover the time, expertise, and care provided by your consultant before, during, and after your treatment. See our full terms and conditions
Why patients choose The London Clinic Lung Centre
Our lung centre brings together a wide range of specialities and collective experience to provide a comprehensive approach to diagnosing and treating lung conditions. Working collaboratively, our world-class teams deliver personalised care at every stage, ensuring each patient receives the highest standard of treatment in a supportive, streamlined environment.
World-class lung treatment
Our specialists work at the forefront of modern lung diagnostics and treatments, helping deliver exceptional care for chest conditions.
Personal care, every time
Patient care is central to everything we do, with tailored treatment plans and support at every step.
Effortlessly simple
Our multidisciplinary teams work as one to provide a seamless, stress-free experience from consultation to follow-up.
Get expert lung advice
World-class consultants and advanced lung diagnostics, based in the heart of Harley Street.
0% Finance Options
We’ve teamed up with Chrysalis to offer you funding options that allow you to spread the cost of your treatment.
If you choose to pay for your treatment at The London Clinic over 12 months, you can make use of a great 0% interest option and pay nothing extra. Or you can choose to pay over two to five years at 14.9% APR.
Trustees of the London Clinic Ltd trading as The London Clinic is an Appointed Representative of Chrysalis Finance Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The London Clinic is a credit broker, not a lender. The provider of a payment scheme which is not offered through or by Chrysalis Finance Limited may not be so authorised and regulated. Cancer treatments or transplants aren’t covered by finance packages. Finance options are only available for UK patients.