EGFR Positive Lung Cancer Overview

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Learn About EGFR Positive Lung Cancer

View Main Condition: Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

What is the definition of EGFR Positive Lung Cancer?
EGFR, or epidermal growth factor receptor, is a protein that is important for proper cell growth and division. In some cases of non-small cell lung cancer, a mutation can cause EGFR to be overexpressed, resulting in uncontrolled cell growth. Roughly 15% of cases of non-small cell lung cancer in the United States involve an EGFR mutation.
What are the causes of EGFR Positive Lung Cancer?
The majority of EGFR mutations are somatic, meaning that changes in DNA occur during a person's lifetime instead of being inherited. These types of mutations may occur from smoking or secondhand smoke exposure, air pollution, asbestos or radon exposure, or exposure to certain metals or chemicals. EGFR mutations tend to affect certain populations more than others including people of Asian heritage, women, and individuals with lung adenocarcinoma. Less commonly, individuals can inherit a mutation in the EGFR gene known as T790M when they are born. This mutation can put those individuals at a higher risk for developing lung cancer.
What are the symptoms of EGFR Positive Lung Cancer?
Early EGFR positive lung cancer may not cause any symptoms. As the condition progresses, individuals may experience chronic cough, coughing up blood, shortness of breath, wheezing, fatigue, loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss, and chest pain. Symptoms that appear in the later stages of EGFR positive lung cancer may include hoarseness or changing voice, difficulty swallowing, eyelid drooping, facial swelling, nail abnormalities, bone, joint, and shoulder pain, and weakness.
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What are the current treatments for EGFR Positive Lung Cancer?
Depending on the stage of EGFR positive lung cancer as well as the specific mutation involved, there are a variety of options available. If the cancer has not spread and is in an early stage, individuals may be able to undergo surgery to completely remove the cancer. There are also a variety of drug options called EGFR inhibitors that prevent unregulated cell growth. Some examples of EGFR inhibitors include Afatinib (Gilotrif), Erlotinib (Tarceva), Gefitinib (Iressa), Osimertinib (Tagrisso), Dacomitinib (Vizimpro), and Necitumumab (Portrazza). Treatment plans, including the type of EGFR inhibitor used, are typically specialized based on the specific EGFR mutation. Individuals with EGFR positive lung cancer may also be able to take part in clinical trials that offer newer or more experimental treatments.
Who are the top EGFR Positive Lung Cancer Local Doctors?
Shirish M. Gadgeel
Dr. Shirish M. Gadgeel
Oncology | Hematology | Hematology Oncology
Dr. Shirish M. Gadgeel
Oncology | Hematology | Hematology Oncology

Henry Ford Health System

2799 W Grand Blvd, 
Detroit, MI 
 (73.9 mi)
313-916-2600
Languages Spoken:
English
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Accepting New Patients
Offers Telehealth

Shirish Gadgeel is an Oncologist and a Hematologist in Detroit, Michigan. Dr. Gadgeel and is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of EGFR Positive Lung Cancer. His top areas of expertise are Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), Lung Cancer, Squamous Cell Lung Carcinoma, EGFR Positive Lung Cancer, and Tissue Biopsy. Dr. Gadgeel is currently accepting new patients.

Binu Malhotra
Dr. Binu Malhotra
Hematology Oncology | Hematology | Oncology
Dr. Binu Malhotra
Hematology Oncology | Hematology | Oncology

Hills And Dales General Hospital Inc

4675 Hill St, 
Cass City, MI 
 (21.7 mi)
989-912-6275
Languages Spoken:
English, Hindi
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Accepting New Patients

Binu Malhotra is a Hematologist Oncology specialist and a Hematologist in Cass City, Michigan. Dr. Malhotra and is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of EGFR Positive Lung Cancer. Her top areas of expertise are Familial Colorectal Cancer, Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC), Lung Cancer, and Inflammatory Breast Cancer. Dr. Malhotra is currently accepting new patients.

 
 
 
 
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Dr. Ali M. Raufi
Hematology | Oncology
Dr. Ali M. Raufi
Hematology | Oncology
4201 Saint Antoine St, 2e Uhc, 
Detroit, MI 
 (74.6 mi)
313-745-4984
Languages Spoken:
English, French, German, Spanish, Urdu
See accepted insurances
Accepting New Patients

Ali Raufi is a Hematologist and an Oncologist in Detroit, Michigan. Dr. Raufi and is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of EGFR Positive Lung Cancer. His top areas of expertise are Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC), Lung Cancer, Pleuropulmonary Blastoma, and Thrombocytopenia. Dr. Raufi is currently accepting new patients.

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What are the support groups for EGFR Positive Lung Cancer?
Groups such as EGFR Resisters (https://egfrcancer.org/) offer support for individuals with EGFR positive lung cancer. There are also support groups that focus more generally on non-small cell lung cancer: Cancer Support Community: Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer - https://www.cancersupportcommunity.org/non-small-cell-lung-cancer American Lung Association, Lung Cancer Support Groups - https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/lung-cancer/patients/find-support/support-groups
What is the outlook (prognosis) for EGFR Positive Lung Cancer?
Many targeted treatments have been developed for EGFR positive lung cancer in recent years, which has given patients much more hope. Individuals who receive an early diagnosis and/or targeted treatments are likely to have the best outcomes.
What are the possible complications of EGFR Positive Lung Cancer?
Complications of EGFR positive lung cancer can include shortness of breath, fluid accumulation around the lung and in the chest (pleural effusion), coughing up blood (hemoptysis), pain, nausea, headache. There is also a chance that cancer can spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body through tissue, the lymph system, or blood.
When should I contact a medical professional for EGFR Positive Lung Cancer?
It is important to call your doctor if you have symptoms of lung cancer, chronic cough, coughing up blood, shortness of breath, wheezing, fatigue, loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss, and chest pain, especially if you smoke. After receiving a non-small cell lung cancer diagnosis, individuals can undergo genetic testing to identify any genetic abnormalities such as EGFR mutations.
What are the latest EGFR Positive Lung Cancer Clinical Trials?
A Multicenter, Open-label, Phase 2 Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Sutetinib Maleate Capsule in Locally Advanced or Metastatic NSCLC (Uncommon EGFR Mutations Only)
A Multicenter, Open-label, Phase 2 Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Sutetinib Maleate Capsule in Locally Advanced or Metastatic NSCLC (Uncommon EGFR Mutations Only)
Enrollment Status: Recruiting
Publish Date: February 26, 2025
Intervention Type: Drug
Study Phase: Phase 2

Summary: The main objective of the study will be to evaluate the efficacy of sutetinib maleate capsules in participants with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer NSCLC (uncommon EGFR mutations only).

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Phase II Study of Osimertinib (AZD9291) in Advanced NSCLC Patients With Exon 20 Insertion Mutations in EGFR
Phase II Study of Osimertinib (AZD9291) in Advanced NSCLC Patients With Exon 20 Insertion Mutations in EGFR
Enrollment Status: Recruiting
Publish Date: February 25, 2025
Intervention Type: Procedure, Drug
Study Phase: Phase 2

Summary: This phase II trial studies how well osimertinib works in treating patients with non-small cell lung cancer with EGFR exon 20 insertion mutation that is stage IIIB-IV or has come back after a period of improvement (recurrent). Osimertinib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth.

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