Recent Advances in Care Management for Patients with Early-Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer-Recent Advances in Care Management for Patients with Early-Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Recent Advances in Care Management for Patients with Early-Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Video Transcription

Video Summary

This ACCC webinar reviewed recent advances in care management for early-stage and stage III non-small cell lung cancer, with emphasis on biomarker testing, treatment selection, care coordination, and patient navigation. Faculty discussed key trials supporting neoadjuvant, perioperative, and adjuvant therapies, including nivolumab plus chemotherapy, durvalumab-based perioperative treatment, atezolizumab after chemotherapy, and osimertinib for EGFR-mutated disease. A major focus was the management of unresectable stage III disease after concurrent chemoradiation, where durvalumab remains standard, but emerging data suggest osimertinib may benefit EGFR-mutated patients. <br /><br />The panel highlighted that biomarker testing should be performed as early as possible, ideally before neoadjuvant treatment decisions, though turnaround time and insurance coverage remain challenges. They also discussed practical issues in coordinating care across surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, and pathology, especially for community hospitals and non-operable patients.<br /><br />Jennifer Aversano described how nurse navigation supports the full continuum of care—from lung cancer screening and incidental nodule follow-up to diagnosis, treatment coordination, survivorship, and supportive care. She also reviewed navigation metrics and new CMS reimbursement for principal navigation services. Audience polling showed strong interest in changing practice and advocating for dedicated navigators.

Keywords

non-small cell lung cancer

biomarker testing

neoadjuvant therapy

perioperative treatment

adjuvant therapy

durvalumab

osimertinib

patient navigation

care coordination