A Beginner’s Guide to 7 Lung Cancer Treatment Options

Breaking Down Lung Cancer Treatments: Surgery, Chemo, Palliative Care, and More

Lung cancer treatment by stage typically involves three phases:

• •

  Neoadjuvant therapy
  (like chemo, radiation, or targeted therapy to shrink the tumor)
• •

  Adjuvant therapy
  (primary treatment like surgery and chemoradiation)
• •

  Palliative care
  (to support recovery, reduce recurrence, and manage symptoms)

Each stage plays a specific role in your care plan. In this guide, we'll walk through the available treatment options, how they're chosen, and what to expect during lung cancer treatment.

Understanding Lung Cancer Treatments Basics

NSCLC is the more common type and tends to grow more slowly. If it's caught early, surgery is the first plan of action, along with treatments like chemo, radiation, or even targeted therapy, depending on the cancer's genetic makeup.

1. Surgery: When and why, it's done

While surgery for lung cancer doesn't mean a cure, it is the first step in getting rid of the tumour. It's not always possible to directly move to surgery (which is usually the case for early-stage NSCLC).

That being said, surgery is the best bet against cancer. Here are different procedures you might hear about the surgery and what they mean:

• •

  Wedge resection
  A small, wedge-shaped piece of lung tissue containing the tumor is removed.
• •

  Sleeve resection
  A section of the airway and surrounding lung is cut out, then the airway is rejoined.
• •

  Segmentectomy
  A specific segment of a lung lobe is surgically removed, preserving more lung function.
• •

  Lobectomy
  Involves taking out an entire lobe of the lung, often the standard for early-stage cases.
• •

  Pneumonectomy
  The entire lung is removed when the tumor can't be contained to a single lobe.

2. Chemotherapy: Most common Lung Cancer Treatment

Chemo starts even before surgery to shrink the tumour and give surgeons a better chance at removing it fully. But it doesn't stop there; surgery alone usually isn't enough, so chemo continues as part of the main treatment plan.

It's especially important in advanced cases and for SCLC, which spreads quickly.

Lung cancer medications you'll hear about:

• •

  Cisplatin
• •

  Carboplatin
• •

  Etoposide
• •

  Paclitaxel
• •

  Pemetrexed

How it's given:

• •

  In cycles
  a few days of treatment, followed by a rest period
• •

  Through an IV, a port, or sometimes as pills

Chemotherapy is extremely strong on both the cancer cells and the body, which means helping your loved one through the side effects and offering day-to-day support. Easy meals, rest time, and comfort can help ease them into it.

3. Radiation Therapy: Targeted and Powerful

Radiation therapy uses high-energy X-rays, gamma rays, electron beams, or protons to damage and kill cancer cells' DNA. It's recommended when surgery isn't possible or to shrink tumours before the operation.

Undeniably, this does sound scary, and there is skepticism among people regarding radiation. You should know that modern radiation is necessary for 60% of all lung cancer patients, and it significantly increases overall lung cancer treatment and survival rates.

• •

  External beam radiation
  Uses a machine to deliver precise radiation from outside the body to the tumour.
• •

  Internal radiation (brachytherapy)
  Places radioactive material directly inside or very close to the tumour site.

If you're supporting someone through radiation, focus on comfort since fatigue, skin changes[2], coughing, and shortness of breath are expected side effects. Soft clothing, gentle skincare, and keeping track of energy levels day-to-day can make a big difference during this part of the treatment.

4. Targeted Therapy: Precision Treatment Based on Genetics

Targeted lung cancer treatment works exactly as its name suggests. It is a personalized treatment that, instead of attacking all fast-growing cells like chemo does, zeroes in on specific genetic mutations that cancer feeds on.

This therapy, although ideal, is only eligible for patients if their tumours have certain genetic changes, usually:

• •

  EGFR mutations
• •

  ALK rearrangements
• •

  ROS1 fusions

The doctor will run molecular tests to find these mutations, then choose a drug that fights them. Some commonly used lung cancer medications in this treatment plan include osimertinib, crizotinib, alectinib, and lorlatinib. It is more effective for NSCLC, as there are more drugs available for it.

Because targeted drugs go straight for the cancer's weak spot, they come with fewer side effects than chemo. Yet, it is still a drug with effects like fatigue, rash, or digestive issues. Staying consistent with medication and tracking any reactions helps tweak targeted drugs more effectively.

5. Immunotherapy: Helping the Body Fight Back

Immunotherapy for lung cancer leverages the body's own defenses. These treatments, called checkpoint inhibitors, help the immune system identify cancer cells and attack them more effectively.

It's most often used for advanced or metastatic NSCLC, especially when genetic mutations aren't present or when chemo hasn't worked well.

How it's different:

Instead of targeting cancer cells directly, immunotherapy boosts your immune response and usually comes with fewer harsh side effects.

Common drugs you'll hear about:

• •

  Pembrolizumab
• •

  Nivolumab
• •

  Atezolizumab

If your loved one is on immunotherapy, support might mean helping them track side effects like fatigue, cough, or skin rashes and knowing when to check in with the care team.

6. Combining Treatments: The Multimodal Approach

Cancer treatment is never a one-size-fits-all path, but that's what it is ideal for. Most patients need a combination of therapies rather than just one. This is called a multimodal approach, and it's common when the cancer has metastasised[3] or spread beyond the lungs.

Depending on the type, doctors might recommend lung cancer treatment by stage:

• •

  Surgery + chemotherapy
  (to remove the tumour, then prevent recurrence)
• •

  Chemo + immunotherapy
  (to slow the spread and strengthen the immune response)
• •

  Chemoradiation
  (especially in small cell lung cancer, where the goal is to shrink and control the disease)

The point isn't just to attack the cancer from one angle, it's to build a treatment plan tailored to the body. That means factoring in health, preferences, and how their body responds to each therapy.

7. Palliative Treatments: Managing Symptoms, Not Just the Disease

Palliative care is applicable when treatment is no longer aimed at curing the cancer. In the later stages, the focus shifts to palliative care, which is all about relieving symptoms, managing treatment side-effects, and improving comfort, no matter what stage the cancer is in.

What to expect during this period:

• •

  Palliative chemotherapy or radiation
  to shrink tumours that are pressing on nerves or airways
• •

  Draining fluid buildup
  in the chest or relieving blockages
• •

  Medications
  for pain, shortness of breath, or nausea

If someone you love is entering this stage, it helps to think of it as a shift in focus, not from fighting the disease but toward preserving peace, comfort, and time that feels well spent.

Final Thoughts: Dealing With Lung Cancer Treatment

Treatment depends on the type, stage, and, most importantly, the person going through it. From surgery and chemo to targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and palliative care, each option comes with its own goals and considerations.

Don't hesitate to ask your care team important questions like "How do I know it's working?" and "These side effects seem too harsh; are there more ways to manage?"