Hospital

Treatments for Lung Cancer

The goal of early stage treatment is to remove as much of the cancer as possible, while preserving as much of the lungs and their function as possible. Additional treatment may help to prevent the spread or recurrence of cancer. The treatment plan will often include a combination of approaches based on the characteristics of the cancer, patient's age, general health, and prognosis.

Lung cancer is usually found in advanced stages, so treatment may focus on palliative care, managing symptoms caused by cancer, and maintaining as good a quality of life as possible. Advanced cancer treatments can be difficult, so have an honest discussion about the risks and benefits before getting started. Talk to your doctor about counseling or support groups. They can be beneficial for you and your family.

The healthcare team will be made up of a variety of health professionals including doctors, surgeons, nurses, and pharmacists. It is important to maintain contact with your medical team, adhere to recommended treatment, and go to any recommended appointments for best outcomes possible.

Lung cancer treatment includes:

Existing treatment protocols have been established and continue to be modified through clinical trials. These research studies are essential to determine whether or not new treatments are both safe and effective. Since highly effective treatments for many cancers remain unknown, numerous clinical trials are always underway around the world. You may wish to ask your doctor about participating in a clinical trial. You can find out about clinical trials at the https://www.clinicaltrials.gov website.

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References:

Non-small cell lung cancer. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: http://www.dynamed... . Updated June 23, 2017. Accessed August 30, 2017.
Non-small cell lung cancer. National Cancer Institute website. Available at: https://www.cancer.gov/types/lung/patient/non-small-cell-lung-treatment-pdq. Updated April 13, 2017. Accessed August 30, 2017.
Small cell lung cancer. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: http://www.dynamed... . Updated June 23, 2017. Accessed August 30, 2017.
Small cell lung cancer. National Cancer Institute website. Available at: https://www.cancer.gov/types/lung/hp/small-cell-lung-treatment-pdq. Updated January 20, 2017. Accessed August 30, 2017.
Treating non-small cell lung cancer. American Cancer Society website. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/non-small-cell-lung-cancer/treating.html. Accessed August 30, 2017.
Treating small cell lung cancer. American Cancer Society website. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/small-cell-lung-cancer/treating.html. Accessed August 30, 2017.
What are the types of lung cancer treatment? American Lung Association website. Available at:
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Updated November 3, 2016. Accessed August 30, 2017.
Last reviewed September 2018 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Michael Woods, MD, FAAP