For advanced squamous cell lung cancer, which is better: targeted therapy or immunotherapy?

It is not possible to directly compare whether targeted therapy or immunotherapy is better for intermediate to advanced squamous cell lung cancer; the appropriate treatment should be selected based on the patient's specific condition. For intermediate to advanced squamous cell lung cancer, both targeted therapy and immunotherapy can be effective. Details are as follows:

In medical terms, squamous cell lung cancer is a pathological subtype of lung cancer, commonly found in elderly males. It primarily originates from the mucosa of segmental or subsegmental bronchi and is typically a central mass with slow growth. It is strongly associated with smoking and may cause symptoms such as cough, sputum production, chest tightness, and hemoptysis.

Targeted therapy is a treatment approach that acts at the cellular and molecular level to specifically target identified oncogenic sites. Immunotherapy, on the other hand, activates the body's immune system, enabling it to destroy cancer cells and tumor tissues using the body’s own immune functions. For patients with intermediate to advanced squamous cell lung cancer, either targeted therapy or immunotherapy may be considered. Both treatments can effectively control disease progression and improve survival rates. During treatment, both approaches can eliminate tumor cells but may also cause side effects such as nausea, fatigue, and weight loss. Generally, one cannot be definitively said to be superior to the other.

Patients and their families are advised to actively communicate with their physicians, who will determine the most suitable treatment plan according to the individual patient's condition. Treatment should be carried out strictly according to medical advice.