Radiation Therapy for Lung Cancers

Treating Lung Cancer

Lung cancer treatment depends on several factors, including the type and stage of the lung cancer and your overall health. The main treatment options are surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. New treatments are also showing promise.

• Non-small cell lung cancer is usually treated with surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
• Small cell lung cancer most often is treated with radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Many different healthcare professionals will be involved in your care.
• Thoracic surgeons use surgery to remove cancerous tumors and tissue from the chest. They usually have specialized training in cancer surgery.
• Medical oncologists are physicians specializing in treating cancer using various chemotherapy drugs.
• Radiation oncologists are doctors who specialize in using radiation to treat cancer. Non-small cell lung cancer may be treated with radiation therapy, surgery and chemotherapy.