Lung cancer treatment
There are several ways of treating lung cancer and your treatment will be planned individually for you. Don't be concerned if you talk to other people who are receiving similar, but different, treatments.
Small cell lung cancer
The main treatment for small cell cancer is with chemotherapy drugs. Surgery is not usually used because the cancer is likely to have spread to other parts of the body.
Sometimes radiotherapy is given to the chest after chemotherapy. It may also be given to the head to reduce cancer cells spreading to the brain.
Non-small cell lung cancer
Surgery
Surgery is a very effective way of treating lung cancer as long as the surgeon can remove all the cancer. The operation is carried out through a cut along the side of the chest (a thoracotomy). The surgeon then has to check carefully that all of the cancer can be removed with the smallest amount of lung tissue.
If part of your lung is removed (a lobectomy) this will not affect your breathing or ability to exercise in the future. If the surgeon needs to remove the whole lung (a pneumonectomy) your breathing will be affected.
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy uses high energy X-rays to kill cancer cells and is given using a machine similar to an X-ray machine but slightly larger. The treatment area will include the tumour and the surrounding lymph nodes (glands) if necessary. The treatment will be planned specifically for you to make sure that the cancer cells are destroyed with the least amount of damage to normal tissues.
Some people become breathless and develop a hoarse cough during radiotherapy. This should ease in the weeks following treatment. Your oesophagus (gullet) may be within the treatment field and may become inflamed. This may result in heartburn or pain when swallowing. If this happens to you, please tell your doctor or radiographer; you can be prescribed medicines to relieve the problem. Heartburn or pain usually wears off within two weeks of finishing treatment.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is often recommended for more advanced disease, and is sometimes followed by either radiotherapy or surgery.
What further treatment may I have?
Lung cancer may spread to the bones and cause pain. Radiotherapy is very good at relieving bone pain, and you will be offered treatment as needed. One single treatment or a course of a few days will be given. It doesn't usually have any side effects.