Chemotherapy for Lung Cancer
Chemotherapy for lung cancer is a treatment that uses strong medications to kill cancer cells or stop them from multiplying. Unlike surgery or radiation, which target specific areas, chemotherapy works throughout the entire body, making it effective for lung cancer that may have spread beyond the lungs, or when doctors want to reduce the risk of recurrence after initial treatment.
When is Chemotherapy Used for Lung Cancer?
Your oncology team may recommend chemotherapy as part of your treatment plan at different times throughout your treatment. Typically, it may be recommended as:
- Neoadjuvant Therapy: To shrink tumors before surgery so they're easier to remove.
- Adjuvant Therapy: To destroy remaining cancer cells after surgery and reduce the risk of recurrence.
- As Main Treatment: When cancer has spread outside the lungs, chemotherapy helps control growth and relieve symptoms when surgery isn't recommended.
- Combined with Other Treatments: Often used with radiation, immunotherapy, or targeted therapy for better results.
- When Surgery Is Not Recommended: Chemotherapy may be the primary treatment if surgery isn't possible due to tumor location or overall health.
What to Expect During Chemotherapy for Lung Cancer
Chemotherapy is typically given in cycles, which means you'll receive treatment for a set period, followed by a break to allow your body to recover between treatments. Each cycle can last a few weeks, and most patients have several cycles throughout their treatment plan. It is typically given at a hospital, outpatient center, or infusion clinic.
Chemotherapy can be delivered through:
- IV Infusion: The most common method where the medication is given through a vein in your arm or a port, directly into the bloodstream.
- Oral Medication: Some chemotherapy medication comes in a pill or capsule that you take a home.
- Combination: Depending on the stage of cancer, multiple methods of chemotherapy may be used together.
Learn More About Lung Cancer Treatments
Types of Chemotherapy
Several types of chemotherapy medicines for lung cancer are available, and the choice depends on your cancer type and health. Common drugs include:
- Platinum-based drugs: cisplatin, carboplatin
- Taxanes: paclitaxel, docetaxel
- Gemcitabine: Frequently used for non-small cell lung cancer.
- Etoposide: Frequently used for small cell lung cancer.
- Pemetrexed: Used for certain types of non-small cell lung cancer
These may be combined with other treatments such as immunotherapy or targeted therapy for maximum effectiveness. Your oncology team will work alongside you to determine the best medications and treatments for you, depending on your diagnosis and overall health.
Side Effects
Chemotherapy is effective but can cause side effects since it also affects healthy cells.
Common side effects may include:
- Fatigue
- Hair loss
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Increased risk of infection
- Mouth sores
- Changes in blood counts
At CHRISTUS Health, our care teams provide supportive therapies and medications to help manage side effects and keep patients as comfortable as possible during lung cancer treatment.
Compassionate Cancer Care at CHRISTUS Health
Facing lung cancer is overwhelming. At CHRISTUS Health, your oncology team will be present through every stage of your chemotherapy—helping manage side effects, answering questions, and supporting your well-being long after treatment ends. With whole-person care, we are here to provide hope and healing.
With CHRISTUS, you can count on:
- Personalized lung cancer care from expert oncology teams who tailor each plan to your diagnosis, stage, goals, and comfort.
- Advanced treatment options including current chemotherapy protocols and clinical trials that can expand your treatment choices when appropriate.
- Whole-person support with symptom management, nutrition guidance, counseling, smoking cessation resources, survivorship services and more.