The National Institutes of Heath states that two forms of lung cancer exist: nonsmall cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer. Non-small cell lung cancer is the most common form of lung cancer, with symptoms including incessant coughing, weight loss, decrease in appetite, coughing up blood and wheezing. Small cell lung cancer occurs in about 20 percent of lung cancer cases, according to the NIH, and its symptoms include chest pain, bloody sputum, shortness of breath and a persistent cough.
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment
The Mayo Clinic states that the treatment options for non-small cell lung cancer are dependent on the stage of cancer the patient has. In stage I, where the cancer has not spread beyond the lung, the patient's main treatment option is surgery and may include chemotherapy.. In stage II, where the cancer has either invaded the lymph node or chest, the patient has three treatment options: surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. In stage IIIA, the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes in the center of the ches.; The preferred treatment is a combination of chemotherapy and radiation, though surgery may be considered. When the cancer has spread to other areas of the chest, such as the heart or esophagus, in stage IIIB lung cancer, chemotherapy is the treatment option, though radiation can sometimes be done. In the final, or stage IV, of lung cancer, chemotherapy is done. Targeted drug therapy, using bevacizumab or erlotinib, can also be used, and experimental clinical trials may be recommended. If the patient has an advanced case of non-small cell lung cancer where an elimination of the cancer may not be possible, supportive care may be the primary treatment option.
Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment
The treatment options for small cell lung cancer is divided into limited stage treatment, where the cancer has not spread, and extensive stage treatment, where the cancer has spread, according to the Mayo Clinic. With limited stage cancer, the main treatment option is a combination of chemotherapy and radiation; sometimes, surgery may be performed. The extensive stage treatment of small cell lung cancer is similar to stage IV treatment of non-small cell lung cancer: chemotherapy, clinical trials or supportive care.
Surgical Options
The Mayo Clinic states that patients with lung cancer have four surgical options. The least extensive surgery is wedge resection, where only a small section of the lung is removed. As the cancer becomes more invasive, the amount of lung removed increases. Segmental resection removes a larger amount of lung compared to wedge resection. With lobectomy, an entire lobe of the lung is removed, and with pneumonectomy, the entire lung is taken out.
