Treatment Options for Lung Cancer

The treatments you receive for lung cancer depend on many factors, such as the stage and type of cancer you have and your overall health. The most common treatment options are surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.

The National Cancer Institute predicts that lung cancer will be the third most diagnosed cancer in the United States in 2023.

Lung cancer is divided into two main types: small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). SCLC tends to have a poorer outlook and usually requires more aggressive treatment.

Nine types of standard treatment are used to treat NSCLC and six types are used to treat SCLC. Read on to learn more about treatment options for lung cancer.

The main treatments for lung cancer include:

Treatment for early stage lung cancer often involves trying to cure the cancer.

However, about two-thirds of people with NSCLC and 97% of people with SCLC have advanced disease when they receive a diagnosis. Advanced lung cancer usually isn’t curable, but treatment can help manage symptoms and prolong your life.

Can lung cancer be cured?

Lung cancer can often be cured if it’s contained to one side of your chest. However, many people have cancer that’s already spread beyond this point when they receive a diagnosis.

The chance of curing lung cancer also depends on factors such as:

• your age and overall health
• which type of lung cancer you have
• how advanced your cancer is