There are a variety of treatment options available to treat lung cancer, each with its own potential benefits, including surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and targeted therapy.
Surgery often involves the removal of a tumor and surrounding tissue during an operation. It may be used to diagnose or learn more about the cancer. Various types of surgery may be an option, depending on the location, size and type of cancer.
Radiation therapy is another common cancer treatment. It harnesses high-energy waves (X-rays, radioactive particles) to destroy or damage cancer cells. Radiation may be used in combination with other treatments to reverse the growth of cancer cells.
Chemotherapy uses strong anti-cancer medicines to treat cancer. Dozens of different chemotherapy drugs are available in the fight against lung cancer today. Doctors choose certain drugs based on the type of cancer and its stage.
Targeted therapy uses drugs to attack the inner workings of cancer cells. This more direct attack is different from chemotherapy in that these drugs seek out cancerous cells but do not harm healthy ones. Targeted therapies often have different and less severe side effects than standard chemotherapy drugs.
Surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and targeted treatments—alone or in combination—are all used to treat lung cancer. The length of treatment and recovery depends on the stage of the cancer and the patient’s underlying health issues.