EGFR-Mutated NSCLC: Communicating Toxicity and Treatment Burden

In this segment, Dr. Sands asks Dr. Wakelee how she discusses toxicity profiles and treatment burden with patients when selecting first-line therapy for EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer. Dr. Wakelee emphasizes the importance of clear, balanced communication, ensuring that patients understand both the potential benefits and risks of different treatment approaches. She highlights that discussions should go beyond listing side effects to include how toxicities may impact daily life, including fatigue, dermatologic effects, and the need for ongoing monitoring or clinic visits. The conversation also addresses how treatment burden can vary depending on the intensity and route of therapy, and how these factors influence patient preferences. Dr. Wakelee underscores the need to individualize these conversations, tailoring them to each patient’s priorities, lifestyle, and tolerance for risk. Overall, this segment highlights the critical role of patient-centered communication in guiding shared decision-making in EGFR-mutated NSCLC.