Lung cancer treatment is generally determined by type of lung cancer (small cell or non-small cell) and stage of the disease.
Treating non-small cell lung cancer:
In stage one and stage two, treatment focuses on dealing with the tumor. While the tumor is being removed, doctors will often look at other areas of the lung that may be close to the tumor or involved with the tumor. If other areas of the lung are involved, your doctor may suggest chemotherapy. For patients who can’t handle surgery to remove the tumor, chemotherapy may be the sole treatment option.
Stage three patients may be divided into three groups:
- Patients with abnormal and/or enlarged lymph nodes. These patients may have a high probability of cancer in the lymph nodes, but are not generally surgical candidates. Treatment is often a combination of radiation and chemotherapy.
- Patients with cancer in the lymph nodes. These patients are generally good surgical candidates, and may have chemotherapy both before and after surgery.
- Patients with “classic” stage 3b tumors in the lungs, lymph nodes, and/or chest. These patients are not generally surgical candidates. Treatment is often a combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Stage four patients and patients with recurrent lung cancer may choose chemotherapy, but the prognosis isn’t great. Life expectancy without treatment for a stage four cancer is approximately eight months. Chemotherapy can improve survival and relieve some symptoms.
Treating small cell lung cancer:
In the limited stage, there are several treatment options. If a patient is in good health, they can tolerate a more aggressive treatment with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and/or surgery. Good health requires that you have good liver, kidney, heart, and lung function, and are able to walk on your own at least fifty percent of the time.
In the extensive stage, chemotherapy is generally the treatment of choice. However, if the patient is medically unstable or has poor health, the treatment may be too much to handle.
Don’t rule out clinical trials as a course of treatment, regardless of what type of lung cancer you have. Participating in a clinical trial is a great way to have access to new medications before they are publicly available AND help future patients have a better chance at recovery.