What is the treatment of Non Small Cell Lung Cancer?

Nine types of standard treatment are used:

Surgery

Four types of surgery are used:

Wedge resection

Surgery to remove a tumor and some of the normal tissue around it. When a slightly larger amount of tissue is taken, it is called a segmental resection.

                                                 Source:www.cancer.gov
 
Wedge resection of the lung. Part of the lung lobe containing the cancer and a small amount of healthy tissue around it is removed.

Lobectomy

Surgery to remove a whole lobe (section) of the lung.

                                                   Source:www.cancer.gov
 
Lobectomy: A lobe of the lung is removed.

Pneumonectomy

Surgery to remove one whole lung.

                                 Source: www.cancer.gov

Pneumonectomy. The whole lung is removed.

Sleeve resection

Surgery to remove part of the bronchus.

Even if the doctor removes all the cancer that can be seen at the time of the surgery, some patients may be given chemotherapy or radiation therapy after surgery to kill any cancer cells that are left. Treatment given after the surgery, to lower the risk that the cancer will come back, is called adjuvant therapy.

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy is a cancer treatment that uses high-energy x-rays or other types of radiation to kill cancer cells or keep them from growing. There are two types of radiation therapy. External radiation therapy uses a machine outside the body to send 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 is a method of delivering radiation dir...