- In chemotherapy, drugs are administered to attempt to stop the cancer's growth either by killing the cells or by keeping them from dividing. In systemic chemotherapy, the drugs are given orally, intravenously or by injection. In regional chemotherapy, the drugs are placed directly into a cancerous area of the body, such as an organ or the spinal column. Side effects can include hair loss, fatigue, nausea and joint pain.
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Radiation also can be used to kill cancer cells. Side effects can include being raw, red, and sore in the area where it is applied, in addition to fatigue. There are several ways for radiation to be done. The most common is to use a machine to direct powerful X-rays toward the cancerous portion of the body. This is known as external radiation therapy.
Internal radiation therapy involves sealing a radioactive substance inside a needle, seed, wire or catheter and placing it directly into or near the cancer.
The newest form of radiation therapy is TomoTherapy. This involves a machine that uses small, powerful and precise radiation beams to target tumors. It also uses a CT scanner to make sure it is precisely aimed at the tumor to drastically reduce exposure to healthy tissue, which reduces side effects. The machine rotates so it can aim at the tumor from 360 degrees. - Photodynamic therapy involves injecting photoporphyrin in the bloodstream. Photoporphyrin is a light-activated chemical substance that tumor cells absorb. After 24 to 48 hours, a laser is directed into the lungs, which activates the photoporphyrin, which in turn attacks the tumor cells. This therapy is used for early stage small cell lung cancer or for cancer that has been treated previously.
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Surgery to remove small cell lung cancer tumors is rarely an option because the cancer spreads so quickly before the patient usually shows any symptoms. Surgery is never the only treatment for small cell lung cancer. Chemotherapy or radiation therapy also must be given to reduce the chance of the cancer spreading to another part of the body.
Surgery can also be used to determine exactly what kind of cancer it is and at what stage it is. This will help guide the doctors in determining the treatment.
