|  | Cancer | Lung Cancer

Chemo Treatment for Stage IV Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cause of all cancer-related deaths in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Stage IV lung cancer is the most advanced form of lung cancer.

  1. Chemotherapy

    • Once lung cancer progresses to stage IV, it can no longer be treated with surgery. Instead, doctors rely on chemotherapy to slow the spread of the disease and prolong the life of patients as much as possible, according to Portland's Providence Health and Services.

    Function

    • Chemotherapy for stage IV lung cancer uses intravenous infusions of drugs to destroy cancer cells. Common drugs used for chemotherapy in lung cancer treatment include carboplatin, cisplatin, docetaxel, etoposide and paditaxel.

    Time Frame

    • Chemotherapy for stage IV lung cancer is typically administered for one to two hours every 20 days, although some types require only 30-minute doses that occur weekly, according to the Australian Prescriber.

    Side Effects

    • Side effects of chemo treatment for stage IV lung cancer include shortages of red or white blood cells, reduced levels of blood platelets, fatigue, weakness, nausea, changes in the sense of taste, mouth ulcers, diarrhea and hair loss or thinning, according to Cancer Research UK.

    Considerations

    • In some cases, doctors use radiation treatment in addition to chemotherapy in painful areas, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Lung Cancer - Related Articles