Chemotherapy may be taken by pill, or it may be put into the body by a needle in the vein or muscle. Chemotherapy is called a systemic treatment because the drug enters the bloodstream, travels through the body, and can kill cancer cells outside the lungs, including cancer cells that have spread to the brain. Treatment of small cell lung cancer depends on the stage of the disease, and the patient's age and overall condition. Standard treatment may be considered because of its effectiveness in patients in past studies, or participation in a clinical trial may be considered. Most patients are not cured with standard therapy and some standard treatments may have more side effects than are desired.
Clinical trials are ongoing in most parts of the country for most stages of small cell lung cancer.
Chemotherapy with or without prophylactic cranial irradiation. Surgery followed by chemotherapy with or without prophylactic cranial irradiation. Clinical trials are testing new drugs and new ways of giving all of the above treatments. Radiation therapy to places in the body where the cancer has spread, such as the brain, bone, or spine to relieve symptoms. Clinical trials are testing new drugs and new ways of giving all of the above treatments.