Lung Cancer Treatment

Memorial Hermann Cancer Centers provide advanced treatment for patients with lung cancer.

Affiliated specialists, specially trained staff and nurses offer leading cancer care personalized to meet the specific needs of each patient. Through diagnosis and treatment based in extensive knowledge and experience and delivered using advanced technology, we provide exceptional, effective care.

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A variety of treatments are available for patients with non-small cell lung cancer. Some are standard; others are being tested in clinical trials.

Lung Cancer Surgery

Four types of surgery are used:

• Wedge resection removes a tumor and a small amount of healthy tissue surrounding it. When a slightly larger amount of tissue is taken, the procedure is called a segmental resection.
• Lobectomy is surgery to remove an entire lobe (section) of the lung
• Pneumonectomy removes the entire lung
• Sleeve resection removes part of the bronchus

A variety of treatments are available for patients with non-small cell lung cancer. Some are standard; others are being tested in clinical trials.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays and other types of radiation to kill cancer cells.

External radiation therapy uses a linear accelerator to direct radiation toward the cancer. Internal radiation therapy uses a radioactive substance sealed in needles, seeds, wires or catheters that are placed directly into or near the cancer. Radiosurgery delivers radiation directly to the tumor with little damage to healthy tissue. It may be used to treat certain tumors in patients who cannot have surgery. A course of radiation therapy depends on the type and stage of cancer being treated.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing.

Targeted Therapy

Targeted therapy uses drugs or other substances to identify and attack specific cancer cells without harming normal cells. Monoclonal antibodies and tyrosine kinase inhibitors are two types of targeted therapy used in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.

Laser Therapy

Laser therapy uses a laser beam to kill cancer cells.

Photodynamic Therapy

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) uses a drug and a type of laser light to kill cancer cells. The drug is not active until it is exposed to light and injected into a vein, after which it collects more in cancer cells than in normal cells.

Cryosurgery and Electrocautery

Cryosurgery, also known as cryotherapy, uses an instrument to freeze and destroy abnormal tissue. Electrocautery uses a probe or needle heated by an electric current to destroy abnormal tissue.

Chemoprevention

Chemoprevention uses drugs, vitamins or other substances to reduce the risk of developing cancer or reduce the risk that cancer will recur.

Adjuvant Therapy

Even if the surgeon removes all the cancer visible at the time of surgery, some patients may be given chemotherapy or radiation therapy after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells.Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays and other types of radiation to kill cancer cells.

External radiation therapy uses a linear accelerator to direct radiation toward the cancer. Internal radiation therapy uses a radioactive substance sealed in needles, seeds, wires or catheters that are placed directly into or near the cancer. Radiosurgery delivers radiation directly to the tumor with little damage to healthy tissue. It may be used to treat certain tumors in patients who cannot have surgery. A course of radiation therapy depends on the type and stage of cancer being treated.

For most patients with small cell lung cancer, current treatments do not provide a cure. If you have been diagnosed with small cell lung cancer, you may want to consider participating in one of the many clinical trials under way to improve treatment.

Memorial Hermann Cancer Centers are accredited by the American College of Surgeons’ (ACoS) Commission on Cancer (CoC). This rare distinction is given to cancer programs that uphold the highest standard of care for patients. When you choose Memorial Hermann Cancer Centers for your cancer treatment, you can rest assured you will receive the best possible care delivered by a compassionate team of caregivers in a calm, healing environment.