Treatment of Lung Cancer

* Surgery Because surgery actually removes a tumor and nearby lymph nodes, it offers the greatest chance for significant survival for some types of lung cancer. This is especially true for the early stage (I, II) cancers that have not spread to other parts of the body. Some patients may undergo surgery during the course of their diagnosis and treatment. * Chemotherapy Chemotherapy uses strong chemicals or drugs to kill cancer cells, stop their reproduction, or slow their growth. There are many types of chemotherapy drugs, and they may be given in combination with each other, and also in combination with surgery and radiation. A medical oncologist prescribes, but it may be given by an oncology nurse. * Radiation Radiation therapy (also called radiotherapy) may be effective for the treatment of lung cancer. It uses high-energy rays, similar to X-rays, but stronger, to kill or shrink cancer cells. Usually, lung cancers are treated from an external source of energy. However research is underway to study the use of implanted radioactive seeds into or near the lung cancer. This type of radiotherapy, called brachytherapy, has been successfully used in the treatment of prostate cancer. * New therapies Recently, there has been an increase in new treatment advances for lung cancer. Some of these advances are still undergoing research in clinical trials, while others have been approved and are being used for treatment of patients.