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Chemotherapy Treatment in Early Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Non-small cell lung cancer occurs as malignant cancer cells form in the lungs. According to the American Cancer Society, 8 to 9 out of 10 cases of all lung cancer are diagnosed as non-small cell cancer. Chemotherapy will depend on the type of non-small cell cancer.

  1. Types

    • Chemotherapy treatment will depend upon the type and size of the non-cell lung cancer. Common types are squamous carcinoma, large-cell carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma. Less common types are pleomorphic, carcinoid tumor, salivary gland carcinoma or unclassified carcinoma.

    Function

    • Chemotherapy has several functions. Tumors can be shrunk before surgery with the use of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy can be used to kill off any cancer cells left after surgery. Chemotherapy is used as a main therapy for patients who are not candidates for surgery.

    Time Frame

    • Chemotherapy is given in cycles with a break between the cycles to allow a patient to recover. Chemotherapy cycles average 3 to 4 weeks in length with the first round of treatment being 4 to 6 cycles.

    Effects

    • Common side effects of chemotherapy can include nausea, vomiting, weight loss, hair loss, bruising easily, fatigue, increase chance of infections and mouth sores.

    Considerations

    • According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, chemotherapy is more beneficial with early stage non-small cell lung cancer when used as an additional treatment with surgery or radiation.

    Identification

    • Chemotherapy agents generally used in treating non-small lung cancer are Platinol or Paraplatin. These drugs are used in combination with either Taxol, Carboplantin or Cisplatin.

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