Video

Dr. Rizvi on Pseudo-Progression in Lung Cancer

Naiyer A. Rizvi, MD, an associate attending physician, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, discusses the phenomenon of pseudoprogression in patients with lung cancer after they receive immunotherapy treatment.

Naiyer A. Rizvi, MD, an associate attending physician, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, discusses the phenomenon of pseudoprogression in patients with lung cancer after they receive immunotherapy treatment.

Rizvi says in a small number of patients that are treated with immunotherapy, early scans may show what looks to be signs of tumor growth. However, this may be a delayed benefit of the treatment or tumor inflammation as T cells become activated.

This phenomenon occurs in less than 10% of the patients, Rizvi says. Physicians should consider the patient’s well being in addition to scans in order to make a decision.

Clinicians referring a patient to MSK can do so by visiting msk.org/refer, emailing referapatient@mskcc.org, or by calling 833-315-2722.
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