Lung Cancer Treatment

While there is no "cure" for lung cancer, treatment at early stages aims to bring cancer into remission. This means that lung cancer symptoms have subsided and the progression of the cancer is halted or under control. If cancer is not detected in time, cancerous tumors may spread to other organs (this process is known as metastasis). In the later stages of lung cancer development, the goal of treatment usually focuses on lessening symptoms rather than bringing about remission.

There are a number of treatments for lung cancer; the chosen regimen depends on the type of cancer, the stage of development, and the condition of the patient. If caught early enough, lung cancer tumors can be removed and the disease brought into remission. However, lung cancer often goes undetected until it has progressed on to later stages. One explanation for this is that some smokers may ascribe initial symptoms to "smokers cough" and put off examination by a doctor until symptoms worsen. This can have dire consequences, as it becomes more difficult to control lung cancer once it has spread. Fortunately, there are a number of new alternative radiation and chemotherapy treatments under development that are beginning to yield positive results. Some of the treatment and pharmacology options available for lung cancer therapy include:

The side effects of cancer treatment depend on the method of treatment used and can vary from person to person. Lung surgery can cause a number of difficulties, particularly when significant portions of the lungs are removed. Chemotherapy side effects are well documented and include: nausea, vomiting, hair loss, mouth sores, and fatigue. Radiation therapy, like chemotherapy, affects healthy cells as well as cancerous cells, but the side effects are concentrated in the area treated. Depending on the site treated, these undesirable effects can include sore throat, fatigue, skin changes, and loss of appetite. Photodynamic therapy makes the skin and eyes of the patient light-sensitive for six weeks or more. The newer treatment options are designed to reduce or eliminate side effects, but these treatments have not been perfected and may still have undesirable outcomes.