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Treatments Of Lung Cancer – Chemotherapy

August 11th, 2007 | Add a Comment

There are two main forms of lung cancer: small cell and non-small cell. The latest treatment protocols of each are very different.

Chemotherapy is a rather toxic mix of different drugs given intravenously or orally. These medicines enter into the bloodstream and spread throughout the body, and are able to destroy the cancerous cells no matter where they are in the body. Although chemotherapy is designed to kill the cancer cells, it kills normal cells as well, which is why doctors will want to keep a close eye on your side effects.

Chemotherapy may include anti cancerous drugs often in combination like cisplatin, which is often given by intra-venous route in patients with lung cancer. However, the effectiveness of chemotherapy for lung cancer depends primarily on type of lung cancer and extent of it’s spread. If metastasis is extensive in organs such as the liver, kidney, bone etc. or if it’s a small cell lung cancer, then the chemotherapy for lung cancer may not be effective.

Chemotherapy can be performed alone as a primary treatment or in combination with surgery or radiotherapy. The occurrence of side effects depends upon the length of treatment and the quantity of drugs you’re required to take. The mixture of drugs are carefully balanced to aid your immune system to recover quickly after the treatment, but secondary infections can happen while your defenses are weak.

Nausea, vomiting, mouth sores, loss of hair or loss of appetite are the common side effects of chemotherapy.

If you’d like to learn more about lung cancer and its treatments, may we suggest: Lung Cancer Insights