Chemotherapy...Chemotherapy, or chemo, is a type of cancer treatment that uses certain drugs to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy drugs travel through the bloodstream (also known as systemic treatment). This means...
Medications...There are a lot of different drugs used to treat lung cancer. They work by shrinking tumors or slowing their growth. The right medicines for you will depend on many...
Radiation Therapy...Radiation uses powerful, high-dose X-rays to kill lung cancer cells or stop their growth. There are several forms of external and internal radiation therapy. External radiation involves focusing radiation at...
Surgery...Surgery is one of the main ways to treat lung cancer. The goal of surgery in treating lung cancer is to remove all of the cancerous (malignant) tissue from the...
Lung Carcinoid Tumor Treatment...Lung carcinoid tumors make up less than 5 percent of all lung cancers. Lung carcinoid tumors tend to grow slower than other types of lung cancer. They are also known...
Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment...Roughly 15 percent of all lung cancers are small cell lung cancers (SCLC). SCLC is an aggressive subtype of lung cancer and typically invades the bronchial mucosal layer (a layer...
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment...Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer, making up about 85 percent of all lung cancers. NSCLC has several sub-types, classified by the types...
Treatment by Type...Treatment for lung cancer is determined by several factors, including the type of lung cancer, the stage of the disease, and the overall health of the patient. Most lung cancers...
How Is Lung Cancer Treated?...Treatment for lung cancer is determined by several factors, including: There are several different treatment options for lung cancer, but not all are right for every person. The treatment recommended...
Pulmonary Function Testing...Pulmonary function tests are a series of non-invasive tests that assess breathing and how well the lungs are working. Pulmonary function testing generally includes measurements of airflow, lung volume, and...
Antibody and Molecular Testing...Immunohistochemistry is a type of laboratory testing that uses antibodies to test for certain markers, or antigens, in a sample of tissue. The antibodies are able to interact with specific...
Thoracoscopy...Thoracoscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure in which a thin, lighted scope with a video camera is inserted into the chest through a small incision. Thoracoscopy allows the surgeon...
Bronchoscopy...Bronchoscopy is a test that allows a doctor to view the airways (bronchi) with the use of a thin, lighted tube containing a camera. The tube used in bronchoscopy may...
Needle Biopsy...A needle biopsy is a procedure in which a sample of tissue is removed from the lungs to examine it for cancerous (malignant) cells. The biopsy may use a fine...
Thoracentesis...Thoracentesis is a procedure in which a needle or small tube is used to remove excess fluid in the pleural space, the space between the lungs and the chest wall...
Sputum Cytology...Sputum cytology is the testing of lung secretions or phlegm to look for cancerous cells. The patient coughs up a sample of mucus, which is viewed under the microscope to...
Imaging Tests...Imaging tests utilize medical equipment that takes pictures of the body, showing what is occurring on the inside. There are several different imaging tests that may be done during diagnosis...
Laboratory Tests...There are several laboratory tests that may be done during the diagnosis and staging of lung cancer. Laboratory tests are any procedure that evaluates a sample of blood, urine, other...
How Is Lung Cancer Diagnosed?...Getting a diagnosis of lung cancer often includes several steps and tests, and there is no single approach that is best for all people. To confirm lung cancer, a sample...
Symptoms - Face and Neck Swelling...If you have lung cancer, you know it can cause many symptoms. One possible symptom is swelling of the face and neck. This may be the result of a condition...