Cryosurgery, a treatment that freezes and destroys cancer tissue, may be used to control symptoms in the later stages of non-small cell lung cancer. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy may also be used to slow the progress of the disease and to manage symptoms. Small cell lung cancer NCI says that small cell lung cancer, sometimes called oat cell cancer, is less common than non-small cell lung cancer. Small cell lung cancer grows more quickly and is more likely to spread to other organs in the body. Because of this, when treating small cell lung cancer, NCI says doctors almost always use chemotherapy.
Surgery is also part of the treatment plan for some patients with small cell lung cancer.
According to the National Institutes of Health, tobacco is the key cause of lung cancer. And it's not just cigarettes. ACS says cigar and pipe smokers have a higher risk of lung cancer too. The number of years a person smokes, the amount smoked per day, and how deeply the person inhales all affect the risk of developing lung cancer. In addition, ACS says the chance of developing lung cancer is increased by second-hand smoke, i.e. exposure to the smoke in the air when someone else smokes.