The aims are to control symptoms and prolong good quality life. Recently, in non-small cell lung cancer, chemotherapy has been used before surgery and radiotherapy to try and improve results. This is called neo-adjuvant chemotherapy. Clinical trials are now going on to find out how best to use this combination of treatments. Chemotherapy is also sometimes used after surgery, to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back.
Chemotherapy is the main treatment for small cell lung cancer.
In many cases chemotherapy for small cell lung cancer will enable people to live for longer with better control of symptoms. Chemotherapy may be given on its own, or before radiotherapy, to treat small cell lung cancers. A course of chemotherapy usually lasts a few days. This is followed by a rest period of a few weeks, which allows your body to recover from any side effects of the treatment. The number of courses you have will depend on the type of cancer you have and how well it is responding to the drugs.