The doctor develops a treatment plan to fit each patient's need. This plan depends on many factors, including the type of lung cancer, the size and location of the tumor, and the stage of the disease, as well as the patient's age, medical history and general health. Surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy are the usual treatments for lung cancer. Surgery is done when it is likely that all the tumor can be removed. Radiation therapy is the use of high-energy rays to damage cancer cells and stop them from growing and dividing.
Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells.
A patient may have just one form of treatment or a combination, depending on his or her needs. Several specialists may work together as a team to provide treatment. It is hard to limit the effects of cancer therapy so that only cancer cells are removed or destroyed. Because treatment also damages healthy cells and tissues, it often causes unpleasant side effects. With surgery, it may take several weeks or months for patients to regain their energy and strength.