How to Learn About Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment

Although small cell lung cancer is less common than non-small cell lung cancer, it can be more difficult to treat. Small cell lung cancer happens when abnormal cells begin to reproduce without restraint on or in the lungs. This type of cancer tends to grow and spread rapidly, making treatment options slightly more limited. However, there are several aggressive therapies commonly used to treat this condition.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Know that the most common treatment for small cell lung cancer are chemotherapy, radiation or a combination of these two therapies. Chemotherapy and radiation are two of the most aggressive cancer treatments and are believed to provide patients with small cell lung cancer the greatest chances of survival.

2. Be aware that surgery is not usually an option for patients with small cell lung cancer. By the time this cancer is discovered, it has usually spread beyond the boundaries of what surgery can remove. Should surgery be an option, a course of chemotherapy and radiation may be used immediately prior to the surgery to increase the chances of success.

3. Patients with limited stage small cell lung cancer may receive a follow-up radiation treatment to the head to protect against the spread of the cancer to the brain.

4. Learn whether your proposed treatment will require hospitalization. Most cancer therapies, with the exception of surgery, can be either inpatient or outpatient. You'll want to know what category your therapy falls into so you can arrange your work and personal schedules accordingly.

5. Ask your doctor about potential follow-up treatments and how long they will take. Cancer treatments can last as little as 1 week to as long as 6 months or more.

Tips & Warnings

• You have the right to request a copy of your medical records, according to the Consumer Bill of Rights and Responsibilities. If you find inaccurate or incomplete information on your record, you also have the right to request that it be amended.
• When you've been diagnosed with lung cancer, you may experience feelings of isolation. You need to remember you're not alone. There are numerous resources, from local cancer support groups to online chat groups, that can help you sort through your emotions and guide you through the treatment process.

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