How is lung cancer treated?

How is lung cancer treated?

1. Surgical treatment:

Surgical removal of the tumour is the best method if the tumours are detected at an early stage and are not spread to other organs. If only one lobe of the lung is affected it can be removed by lobectomy.

2. Radiotherapy:

Small tumours can be destroyed by subjecting them to radiation.

3. Chemotherapy:

Some of the cytotoxic (drugs that are toxic to malig­nant cells) drugs in combination with raditation therapy are known to be beneficial. Some of these cytotoxic drugs are nitorgen mustard, cyclo­phosphamide, methotrexate, vincrystine etc. Treatment with these drugs prolongs the survival of the patients for upto one year. It should be pointed out however both radiotherapy and chemotherapy also have so many side effects.

4. Immunotherapy:

Patients suffering from lung cancer very frequently have their immune system retarded. Immune stimulating drugs are helpful in preventing secondary infections.

5. Palliative treatment includes nutritions diet, vitamin suppliments and analgesics to suppress the pain.