It depends upon the stage of the disease and also on the cell. type of the cancer.

Surgery:

In small-cell type cancer, by the time the diagnosis is made, it has already spread all over the body, hence surgery is of no use.

In non-small cell types, if the cancer is small, and localized and has not spread to the regional draining glands, the chances of cure are high. But, unfortunately, a majority of the cases present late. This is because most smokers regard coughing as a usual practice, and many doctors are also beguiled by the fact that coughing is a common symptom in smokers.

If the cancer mass is large and it has spread in the glands or other parts of the body, then even if operation is performed, it is done mainly to lessen the symptoms and not for cure.

Radiation:

In small-cell type cancers, it can be used only over some parts of the body where the cancer has spread, and this also for treating the symptoms and not for cure. The same is the case for non-small cell type cancers.

Chemotherapy: In small-cell type cancers, the drugs used are:

• Adriamycin
• Cyclophosphamide
• Vincristine

While symptoms of the disease may decrease for sometime, the side-effects produced such as malaise, nausea, vomiting, hair loss, risk of increased infection, are real hazards. Only relief from troublesome symptoms may be achieved for sometimes but not the cure.

Prognosis:

Since most of the cases of lung cancer, present themselves when the cancer has spread from the lungs to the glands or other parts of the body, the cure is difficult.Countries where ‘quit smoking' campaigns have succeeded, are showing lesser incidence of cancer. The best preventive is not to smoke.