Lung Cancer
Treatment in Malaysia

At Onco Life Centre, our team takes a personalized approach to treating Lung Cancer Treatment in Malaysia. We focus not only on treating the disease, but also on supporting the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of our patients every step of the way.

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Understanding Lung Cancer: Types, Causes, and Treatability

Lung cancer is a top cancer killer in the world. Lung cancer is always treatable, no matter the size, location, and how far it has spread. Although cigarette smoking is the main cause, anyone can develop lung cancer.

The 2 main classifications of lung cancer are small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Why Choose Onco Life Centre?

Expertise You Can Trust, Innovation You Can Count On

Over 20 Years of
Experience

Our highly-qualified consultant oncologists boast extensive experience treating a vast array of cancers. Their training at prestigious institutions in Australia and the UK ensures exceptional expertise that you can trust.

Collaboration with
Leading Genomics Experts

For complex cases, our oncologists collaborate with leading genomics specialists in the US. This ensures access to the latest treatments for all cancer types.

Unmatched
patient experience

You and your healthcare experience are at the centre of what we do at Onco Life Centre. Our core values of Empathy, Dedication, Professionalism and Service Quality have driven us since our earliest days.

Treatment Methods

Talk to our highly experienced oncologists at Onco Life Centre about your Lung Cancer Treatment options. Treatment recommendations by our lung cancer specialists at Onco Life Centre are tailored and personalized according to the latest NCCN and FDA guidelines. Lung cancer treatment options also depend on the type and stage of lung cancer, genetic changes in the tumor, and the patient’s preferences and overall health. The landscape of drug treatment in NSCLC has evolved immensely over the last 5 years.

Surgery for lung cancer

The goal of surgery is complete removal of the lung tumor and the nearby lymph nodes in the chest.

The types of surgery used for NSCLC include lobectomy, wedge resection, segmentectomy and pneumonectomy.

Adjuvant therapy for lung cancer

Adjuvant chemotherapy for non small cell lung cancer is given after surgery to lower the risk of the lung cancer returning. It is intended to get rid of any lung cancer cells that may still be in the body after surgery.

Radiation therapy for lung cancer

The most common type of radiotherapy for lung cancer is called external-beam radiation therapy. A radiation therapy regimen usually consists of a specific number of treatments given over a set period of time. CT scans may be used to plan out exactly where to direct the radiation to lower the risk of damaging healthy parts of the body. This is called intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) or stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT).

Chemotherapy for lung cancer

Chemotherapy stops the cancer cells’ ability to grow and divide. Chemotherapy improves both the length and quality of life for people with lung cancer of all stages. Chemo for non small cell lung cancer is usually given through a vein as an intravenous (IV) infusion. The type of lung cancer you have, such as adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma, affects which drugs are used for chemotherapy. Side effects of new and modern drugs are well managed by our lung cancer specialists.

Targeted Therapy for lung cancer

Lung cancer targeted therapy targets the cancer’s specific genes, proteins, or the tissue environment that contributes to cancer growth and survival. To find the most effective treatment, our oncologist may run tests to identify the genes, proteins, and other factors in your tumor.

Anti-angiogenesis therapy is focused on stopping the process of making new blood vessels. Because a tumor needs the nutrients delivered by blood vessels to grow and spread, the goal of anti-angiogenesis therapies is to “starve” the tumor. You can find out more about these FDA approved anti-angiogenic drugs that are given along with chemotherapy for lung cancer at Onco Life Centre, during consultation with our oncologists.

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors block EGFR to stop the growth of lung cancer. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved at least two drugs for patients with locally advanced and metastatic non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Drugs that target other genetic changes in lung tumors may help stop the growth of NSCLC.

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitors. Mutations in the ALK gene are found in about 5% of patients with NSCLC.
Drugs that target changes in a gene called ROS1.
Drugs that target changes in a gene called NTRK fusion.

Please consult our oncologists about the use of such targeted agents that have enabled lung cancer to be treated in a personalized way.

Please click here to learn more about Targeted Therapy.

Immunotherapy for lung cancer

Immunotherapy is designed to boost your body’s natural defenses to fight cancer. The PD-1 pathway is critical in the immune system’s ability to control cancer growth. PD-1 and PD-L1 antibodies block this pathway and can stop the growth of NSCLC. The FDA has approved two immunotherapy drugs for use in metastatic non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Please click here to learn more about Immunotherapy.

Treatment By Stage

Guiding Your Personalized Treatment Journey

Stage I and II NSCLC

In general, stage I and II NSCLC are treated with surgery. Some patients with large tumors or signs that the tumor has spread to the lymph nodes may benefit from chemotherapy. Chemotherapy may be given before surgery (neo-adjuvant chemotherapy) or after surgery (adjuvant chemotherapy) to reduce the chance the cancer will return.

Stage III NSCLC

Treatment options depend on the size and location of the tumor and the lymph nodes that are involved. A combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy is usually recommended. Surgery may be an option after initial chemotherapy or chemotherapy with radiation therapy.

Metastatic or stage 4 NSCLC

Patients with stage IV NSCLC (metastatic lung cancer) typically do not receive surgery or radiation therapy. The goals of systemic therapy are to shrink the cancer, relieve discomfort caused by the cancer, prevent the cancer from spreading further, and lengthen a patient’s life. Treatment often continues as long as it is controlling the cancer’s growth.

1) First line systemic therapy for stage 4 or metastatic lung cancer depends on the genetic changes found in the tumor. For patients with tumors that have a genetic change on the EGFR, ALK, ROS1 or NTRK genes, targeted therapies called Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKI) are the preferred first-line systemic options.
For stage 4 lung cancer patients with tumors without these genetic changes in the tumor, the treatment options are based on the immunohistochemistry of the lung cancer tumor and on the intensity of PDL1 expression.
For patients with non-squamous cell carcinoma with high PD-L1 expression, immunotherapy alone, or chemo with immunotherapy and anti-angiogenesis therapy maybe recommended.
For patients with squamous cell carcinoma with high PD-L1 expression, immunotherapy-alone or combined with chemotherapy maybe recommended.

2) Second line treatment and beyond for stage 4 or metastatic lung cancer depends on the gene mutations found in the tumor and the treatments which patients have already received.
For patients with tumors that do not have a genetic change on the EGFR, ALK, ROS1 or NTRK genes and have received chemotherapy for first-line treatment, immunotherapy can be the next line of treatment if their tumors express a high level of PD-L1.
For patients with tumors that have an EGFR gene mutation, the best treatment option depends on whether the cancer has developed a mutation called T790M, which makes it resistant to the TKI. For patients with tumors that have an ALK, ROS1, BRAF gene mutation, our lung cancer specialist will help you plan your subsequent lines of treatment, which includes new generation TKIs and immunotherapy.

3) Palliative care will also be important to help relieve symptoms and side effects. Radiation therapy or surgery may also be used to treat metastases that are causing pain or other symptoms. Bone metastases that weaken major bones can be treated with surgery, and the bones can be reinforced using metal implants.

Transparency You Can Trust

At Onco Life Centre, we understand the financial burden associated with Lung Cancer Treatment in Malaysia. We are committed to transparency and will provide you with a personalized cost estimate during your initial consultation. Here is an estimate:

Chemotherapy:

Typically the most cost-effective option, with cycles ranging from MYR 5,000 to MYR 8,000.

Targeted Therapy:

More targeted and potentially less taxing, but with a higher cost range starting from MYR 6,000, depending on the specific drug used.

Immunotherapy

Offers a promising approach, but can be the most expensive option, with costs starting at MYR 9,000 depending on the specific type and dosage.

Screening And Prevention Of Lung Cancer

Based on results from the National Lung Screening Trial, Lung Cancer Treatment screening is done with a test called a low-dose CT lung scan. Yearly scan is recommended for people aged 55 to 74 who have smoked for 30 pack years or more or who have quit within the past 15 years.

Your Journey

Start Your Recovery

Our dedicated Patient Navigator will assist you with appointment scheduling. Contact us at +6012-3993260 (Call or Whatsapp ).

First Consultation

On appointment day, bring along all the medical reports and your identity documents, ie. identity card or passport. Our team will help you organize the medical reports for our oncologist to review. Our oncologist will discuss the treatment plan with you. Tele-consult is available for overseas patients.

Treatment Day

Come to our center on an agreed date and time for the treatment. Our team will take good care of you. You will be discharged on the same day. Yes, you will get to go home after every treatment visit as no overnight admission is required.

Stay on Track

Our dedicated patient navigator will be following up with you post treatment to check on your condition, to ensure that you are doing well. You will receive a reminder message on your phone for the next appointment date.