How can chemotherapy treat lung cancer?
ANSWER
Because of its tendency to spread extensively, small-cell lung cancer is typically treated with combination chemotherapy -- the use of more than one drug -- often in conjunction with radiation therapy. Surgery is occasionally used, but only if the cancer is thought to be at a very early stage. This is uncommon.
If your cancer has metastasized, or spread to distant parts of the body, you'll either receive chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Since metastatic lung cancer is very difficult to cure, the main goals of treatment are to provide comfort and prolong life. Current treatments can shrink tumors, which may lessen pain and other symptoms.
From: Understanding Lung Cancer -- Diagnosis and Treatment WebMD Medical Reference
Reviewed by Carol DerSarkissian on February 05, 2019
SOURCES:
National Cancer Institute.
National Institutes of Health.
WebMD Medical Reference from the American College of Physicians: “Section 12 VIII Lung Cancer.”
News release, FDA.
American Cancer Society.
American Lung Association.
SOURCES:
National Cancer Institute.
National Institutes of Health.
WebMD Medical Reference from the American College of Physicians: “Section 12 VIII Lung Cancer.”
News release, FDA.
American Cancer Society.
American Lung Association.
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