Aggressive Chemotherapy for Lung Cancer: Risks & Benefits

Lung cancer---which is cancer that forms in the tissues of the lung, mostly cells lining the air passages---can be a devastating diagnosis. Depending on when it is caught and whether it is small cell or non-small cell, treatments will vary, but in the late stages of the disease aggressive treatment may be ordered by the oncologist. Aggressive chemotherapy may include higher-powered chemical combinations or multi-modal (radiation and surgery) approaches that may also increase the chances of death.

Types

• Lung cancer may require many aggressive treatments. Chemotherapy is often used in combination with surgery and radiation to battle the disease.

Function

• Chemotherapy targets the cancer and kills it, but may also affect the body by making patients very ill.

Identification

• Chemotheray treatments often take weeks or months, but there is given in rounds with breaks so patients can recover.

Considerations

• Chemotherapy is often given intravenously, by injection or by mouth. Often a combination of drugs are given.

Warning

• Chemotherapy can have bad side effects such as nausea, vomiting, hair loss, and sores in the mouth.