Limited-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer

Treatment of limited-stage small cell lung cancer may include the following:

• Combination chemotherapy and radiation therapy to the chest, with or without radiation therapy to the brain.
• Combination chemotherapy with or without radiation therapy to the brain in patients with complete response.
• Combination chemotherapy with or without radiation therapy to the chest.
• Surgery followed by chemotherapy or chemotherapy plus radiation therapy to the chest, with or without radiation therapy to the brain.
• Clinical trials of new chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation treatments.

Extensive-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer

Treatment of extensive-stage small cell lung cancer may include the following:

• Chemotherapy.
• Combination chemotherapy.
• Combination chemotherapy with or without radiation therapy to the brain for patients with complete response.
• Radiation therapy to the brain, spine, bone, or other parts of the body where the cancer has spread, as palliative therapy to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.
• Clinical trials of new chemotherapy treatments.

Educational information provided by The National Cancer Institute (NCI) Internet site.