Lung Cancer Treatment Options

 What Is Adjuvant Therapy?

Three lung cancer treatment options are in general use today, not including alternative lung cancer treatment possibilities. These treatment options are

• Surgery
• Chemotherapy
• Radiation

In many cases, these options are used in combination, a procedure known as adjuvant therapy.The oncologist (cancer specialist) may prescribe chemotherapy or radiotherapy after the lung cancer tumor has been removed to make sure all cancer cells are killed.

We'll describe each of these lung cancer treatment options in more detail below.

The doctor and the patient determine lung cancer treatment options based on a number of factors: how far the cancer has progressed, the age of the patient, and the general health of the patient.

There are other questions to consider too. Is the treatment aimed at curing or somehow eradicating the tumor? Or will treatment be "palliative," meaning no cure is possible but treatment can help diminish pain and suffering.

Lung cancer surgery procedure A surgery procedure is often the first option for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) which has not spread to other organs.

Approximately 10 to 35 percent of lung cancer tumors can be removed using surgery. But surgery is not appropriate when the tumor is too close to the trachea or if the patient has other significant health challenges.

25 to 40 percent of patients who have a lung cancer surgery procedure for are still alive five years later.

Surgery is not often done on small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients because this type of cancer is less likely to be confined to one area.

A lung cancer surgery procedure is a major operation that must be done in a medical facility. It requires general anesthesia and a hospital stay, along with a long period of follow up care. As with any major procedure, complications may occur.

Lung cancer radiation treatment Radiation treatment may be used with both small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. It is appropriate as a possible cure, but can also help reduce symptoms and side effects caused by the disease.

Traditionally, a machine has been used to deliver high energy x-rays or other types of radiation, which kills cancer cells. More recently, a process called brachytherapy has been developed. Brachytherapy delivers radiation in small pellets placed directly into the cancerous area or into the airway next to the cancer.

External radiation therapy for lung cancer is often done on an outpatient basis. Brachytherapy therapy requires a brief hospital stay.

Lung cancer radiation therapy is used

• when the patient refuses surgery,
• if the cancer is too close to other organs or lymph nodes,
• if the patient's health isn't good enough to undergo the procedure.

When used alone, radiation therapy generally only reduces the size of a tumor or arrests its growth. Nonetheless, approximately one patient in ten experiences remission when radiation alone is used.

When radiation therapy and chemotherapy are combined in adjuvant therapy, the chances of survival get better. There's also less risk of complications.

Lung cancer chemotherapy treatment The third typical lung cancer treatment option is chemotherapy. This refers to the use of chemicals that kill cancer cells or prevent them from dividing.

Depending on a number of factors related to the disease and the wishes of the patient, chemotherapy may be used as "stand alone" lung cancer treatment, or it may be used in combination with radiation and/or surgery.

Chemotherapy may be used with both small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. It is often preferred for treating SCLC since this type of lung cancer is typically more widespread by the time of diagnosis.

Statistically, only about 50 percent of small cell lung cancer patients live more than a few months without chemotherapy. But their survival rate is multiplied four to five times when chemotherapy is used for treatment. It is less effective with non-small cell lung cancer unless cancer cells have spread to other organs or tissue.

Chemotherapy may employ the use of pills, or the drugs may be administered intravenously. Sometimes both pills and intravenous infusions are used in combination. It is usually done in an outpatient facility.

Chemotherapy has some well known and generally unpleasant side effects. Patients are more likely to get an infection and they are subject to an increased risk of blood clots. Other side effects include fatigue, weight loss, hair loss, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and mouth sores. Side effects vary from patient to patient. These side effects diminish or disappear during recovery.

There are variations of the lung cancer treatment options listed above, and there are also experimental therapies that are currently in development. Many of these will be covered in future articles on this website.

We also have additional articles on lung cancer: how lung cancer starts, lung cancer causes, and lung cancer symptoms.

Do you still want more information about lung cancer treatment by typing a relevant keyword or phrase in the search box below.

 

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