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Second-Line Treatment - Definition of Second-Line Treatment

By , About.com Guide

Updated March 12, 2011

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Definition:

Second-line treatment is treatment for a disease or condition after the initial treatment (first-line treatment) has failed.

With lung cancer, second-line treatment is usually started after first-line treatment doesn't work, has stopped working, or has side effects that are not tolerated.

Also Known As: second-line therapy
Examples:
The new drug was just approved for second-line treatment of lung cancer.

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