Lung cancer

Treatment for lung cancer

Your healthcare team will consider your general health and the type and stage of the cancer to recommend what treatments will be best for you. You will work together with your healthcare team to make the final treatment choices. Talk to them if you have questions or concerns.

Surgery

A decision to have surgery depends on the size of the tumour and where it is. During the operation, all or part of the tumour and some healthy tissue around the tumour are removed. Surgery is done under general anesthetic (you will be unconscious) and you will stay in the hospital for several days after the surgery.

Surgery is most commonly used for non-small cell cancers that are still small and have not spread. Surgery is not usually done for small cell lung cancer unless tumours are found at a very early stage, before the cancer has started to spread.

Surgery for non–small cell lung cancer can be done in several ways:

• Wedge resection : The surgeon removes the tumour and a small part of the lung.

• Lobectomy : The surgeon removes the lobe of the lung containing the tumour. This is the most common surgery for lung cancer.

• Pneumonectomy : The surgeon removes the entire lung. You will be able to breathe with your remaining lung.

It can take many weeks to recover fully from a lung operation. It is normal to have some pain or discomfort after your operation. Air and fluid may also collect in the chest. A tube will be inserted to drain the fluid. These side effects are temporary, and can be controlled. You will likely be given coughing and breathing exercises to do several times a day.

Radiation therapy

In external beam radiation therapy, a large machine is used to carefully aim a beam of radiation at the tumour. The radiation damages the cells in the path of the beam – normal cells as well as cancer cells. In brachytherapy, or internal radiation therapy, radioactive material is placed directly into or near the tumour.

Radiation side effects are usually mild. Side effects will be different depending on what part of the body receives the radiation. You may feel more tired than usual, have some diarrhea, or notice changes to the skin (it may be red or tender) where the treatment was given.

Side effects of radiation therapy

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy may be given as pills or by injection. Chemotherapy drugs interfere with the ability of cancer cells to grow and spread, but they also damage healthy cells. Although healthy cells can recover over time, you may experience side effects from your treatment like nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fatigue, hair loss and an increased risk of infection.

Side effects of chemotherapy

Targeted therapies

Targeted therapies use drugs or other substances to block the growth and spread of cancer cells. These drugs are able to attack specific types of cancer cells. Targeted therapy is sometimes used to treat non–small cell lung cancer that has come back or that does not respond to chemotherapy. Side effects are generally mild. They may include diarrhea, a rash, dry or sore mouth, nausea and tiredness.

Photodynamic therapy

Photodynamic therapy uses a special drug that starts to work when exposed to light. The drug is injected into your bloodstream and absorbed by the cancer cells. When exposed to a high-energy laser light, the drug becomes active and destroys the cancer cells. Photodynamic therapy can be used to treat some cases of early-stage lung cancer. It can also be used to help relieve symptoms of a blocked airway.

Relieving pain
Learn more about ways to manage and control your pain and discomfort, side effects and stress when you are having cancer treatments.

Coping with cancer

Whether you are newly diagnosed, in active treatment, or are caring for someone with cancer, you will probably need to deal with many day-to-day issues, make tough decisions, and cope with a range of emotions.