Chemotherapy can be a useful treatment for lung cancer
For patients with small cell lung cancer, which is a highly virulent type of disease, chemotherapy can be a useful treatment option. Chemotherapy is sometimes used as a treatment following surgery in the case of non small cell lung cancers as well.
The term chemotherapy generally means using chemical formulations or drugs to fight cancer. Most of the drugs used for this purpose disrupt the reproduction cycle of cancerous cells and thereby prevent worsening of the disease. Since these drugs are toxic to cancer cells, they are also called cytotoxins.
Many instances of lung cancer can be treated with radiation or surgery. This is possible when the cancer is localized, i.e., it has not spread to other parts of the body.
However, small cell lung cancer is usually undetected till it has spread to several other body organs. In such cases, chemotherapy is useful because the drugs circulate in the blood and are capable of disrupting cancer cells wherever they may be found in the body.
Even if small cell lung cancer is identified in the lungs alone, oncologists may use chemotherapy on the assumption that it may have spread to other parts of the body, even though it may not have been detected in other body organs. This use of drugs is known as a prophylactic measure.
Chemotherapy is also used after surgery for lung cancer. This is done to destroy any cancer cells that may have already begun to spread across the body before the tumor is surgically removed.
For patients undergoing radiation treatment, chemotherapy may be used along with it as well as before and/or after radiation.
In general, non small-cell lung cancer is not very sensitive to cytotoxic drugs. Even in such cases, chemotherapy may be used to reduce the size of tumors prior to surgery. Besides, chemotherapy may help contain some of the symptoms of lung cancer. The British National Institute for Clinical Excellence says that chemotherapy may be used in late stage non small cell lung cancer cases because it helps control symptoms, makes the patient more comfortable and may prolong life.
More than fifty drugs are available for use in chemotherapy. The oncologist will try to choose the best combination for your condition. You do not have to accept his judgment unquestioningly, however. You can ask for the names of the drugs and do some research on the possible side effects and other factors.
In summary, chemotherapy definitely has a place in treating lung cancer at various stages. A proper regimen of drugs can help control and even cure the disease.
