LUNG CANCER NON
SMALL CELL TREATMENTS |
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The treatment depends upon the stage of
the cancer. Most patients with stage I and II non-small cell tumors,
and some patients with stage III tumors, can undergo surgery with
the goal of being cured. Stage IV means the cancer has spread to
other sites in the body (most often bone, brain, or liver) and is,
in most cases, not curable.
- Surgery to cut out the tumor is
usually done when the cancer has not spread beyond the lung and
selected lymph nodes (stage I, II and selected cases of stage
III).
- Some patients will undergo
chemotherapy or a combination of chemotherapy and radiation
therapy prior to surgery. Recent data suggests that this
approach might be the best treatment for some patients.
- Some patients may be helped by
chemotherapy after surgery for non-small cell lung cancer. Data
presented in 2003 showed increased survival for patients who
received this type of therapy, which may now be indicated in
certain circumstances.
- The combination of chemotherapy
and radiation therapy is often used for cancer confined to the
lung and lymph nodes that cannot be removed by surgery (stage
III).
- Chemotherapy alone is often used
when the cancer has spread (stage IV). Chemotherapy has been
shown to prolong the life and improve the quality of life in
some stage IV patients.
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| LUNG CANCER - NON-SMALL CELL RELATED ITEMS |
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