Treatment for Secondary Lung Cancer

When cancer cells metastasize or spread from one part of the body to the lungs, it's called secondary lung cancer. Almost any type of cancer can spread to the lungs, usually through the blood or lymphatic system.

Background

• According to QuittersGuide.com, secondary lung tumors are referred to as secondaries or metastases.

Considerations

• The type and severity of the original cancer affects the course of action for treating secondary lung cancer. Tumor size, location and if the cancer has spread are other factors that also influence treatment, according to QuittersGuide.com.

Detection

• According to eMedicine.com, detecting tumors and determining their size is important in treating this disease. Chest radiography, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) are all used in diagnosing secondary lung cancer.

Treatments

• Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgically removing tumors are common treatments for secondary lung cancer. Targeted drug therapies use specific agents to fight abnormalities in cancer cells. According to MayoClinic.com, Avastin stops lung tumors from creating new blood supplies, and Tarceva blocks chemicals that signal cancer cells to divide.

Hormone Therapy

• If the secondary lung cancer originates from a hormone-sensitive cancer such as breast, thyroid or ovarian cancer, hormone therapy can be useful in fighting metastases, according to QuittersGuide.com