Once lung cancer has been diagnosed and staging has been made, the doctor
can then determine which treatment(s) may be best suited for an individual.
There are different options in treating lung cancer, as described in the following section.
One, several, or all options may be used in a patient, depending on the individual's specific
condition, staging and overall health.

Lung cancer treatments aim to:

• Shrink the tumour size
• Relieve symptoms
• Improve the ability to live comfortably from day to day
• Prolong life

As with most types of cancers, the best results of treatment are seen the earlier the cancer is found. It is important to discuss with the doctor what the prognosis (expected outcome) is for an individual's specific cancer status.

For someone who has been recently diagnosed with lung cancer, it is often difficult to take in that news plus make decisions about which treatment to have. The doctor and other healthcare professionals will be able to discuss this with the individual patient and their carers, and fully explain which treatment(s) may be most appropriate for the current stage and type of lung cancer.

The main treatment options for lung cancer are:

Radiotherapy

Surgery

Chemotherapy

New treatments

Investigational treatments

Choosing treatment options