Small cell lung cancer spreads quickly. In many cases, cancer cells have already spread to other parts of the body when the disease is diagnosed. In order to reach cancer cells throughout the body, doctors almost always use chemotherapy. Treatment may also include radiation therapy aimed at the tumor in the lung or tumors in other parts of the body (such as in the brain). Some patients have radiation therapy to the brain even though no cancer is found there. This treatment, called prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI), is given to prevent tumors from forming in the brain. Surgery is part of the treatment plan for a small number of patients with small cell lung cancer.
- Introduction
- Understanding the Cancer Process
- The Lungs
- Understanding Lung Cancer
- Lung Cancer: Who's at Risk?
- Recognizing Symptoms
- Diagnosing Lung Cancer
- Staging the Disease
- Treatment for Lung Cancer
- Treating Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer
- Side Effects
- The Importance of Followup Care
- Providing Emotional Support
- Questions for Your Doctor
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NIH
