In order to understand about the treatment for NSCLC including NSCLC chemotherapy, one must understand what it is first. NSCLC stands for non small cell lung cancer. It is a type of lung cancer where the tissues of the lungs are affected by dangerous cancer cells obstructing the functions of the lungs. Non small cell lung cancer is one of the sub types of lung cancer; the other is SCLC or small cell lung cancer. NSCLC is further classified into many types depending on the type and appearance of the cells found in the cancer.

Types of Non Small Cell Lung Cancer

The most common cause of lung cancer is smoking cigarettes, cigars or pipes. A person who does not smoke but is exposed to smoke is equally at risk. Other than these, being in an extremely polluted area and being exposed to radon, arsenic, asbestos, chromium, tar or nickel could also increase the chances of being affected by lung cancer. There are many types of NSCLC’s however the major types are as follows:

Large Cell Carcinoma - It is a type that could begin in different kinds of large cells.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma / Epidermoid Carcinoma - This type begins in the squamous cells that are flat and thin in appearance.

Adenocarcinoma - This type of cancer begins in the cells that make mucus and lines the alveoli.

Lung cancers may be left undetected until during a regular chest X-ray. Although there may not be any substantial signs or symptoms suggesting lung cancer, some may experience persistent cough, difficulty in breathing, hoarseness, wheezing, unexpected weight loss, fatigue, loss of appetite, spots of blood in the mucus and uneasiness in the chest.

NSCLC Chemotherapy Treatment

Chemotherapy is an effective treatment that involves the use of drugs to put a stop to the growing cancer cells in the tissues of the lungs. Chemotherapy either kills the cells or it stops the cell from dividing and spreading. Chemotherapy could be given in different ways but the stage and type of cancer helps in determining the way of giving NSCLC chemotherapy.

The treatment for non small cell lung cancer usually involves a chemotherapy regime that uses platinum compounds such as carboplatin or cisplatin. One of the two drugs used in NSCLC chemotherapy regimen includes a platinum based drug, for e.g. cisplatin and paclitaxel. This regimen could also include drugs such as docetaxel, gemicitabine or vinblastine / vinorelbine. Normally the effectiveness of all the drugs is more or less the same however vinorelbine and gemcitabine are considered to be better options for those intolerant to platinum compounds. Another class of agents used in chemotherapy are the biologic response modifiers such as erlotinib and gefitinib. However, the biologic response modifiers have not managed to achieve better results as compared to platinum based chemotherapy drugs. Gefitinib and erlotinib are mostly approved for those who have metastatic non small cell lung cancer and have failed a chemotherapy treatment in the past. Another newly invented drug that is used for the treatment of nonsquamous non small cell lung cancer is pemetrexed. This is given along with cisplatin. The function of this drug is to target those enzymes that play a part in increasing the number of cancer cells. Like other chemotherapy drugs pemetrexed also has side effects however they can be reduced with the help of Vitamin B12 supplements and folic acid.

Other Treatment Options for NSCLC

Once the lung cancer is diagnosed, a process called staging is carried out. This is nothing but a process to find out if the cancer has spread largely within the lungs or to the other parts. This helps in determining the stage of cancer and the treatment to be given to the patient. The NSCLC stages are Occult / Hidden stage, stage 0, stage I, stage II, stage IIIA, stage IIIB and stage IV. NSCLC chemotherapy is one of the many treatment options for this type of lung cancer. Some of the many treatment options for non small cell lung cancer include the following:

• Surgery - There are four types of surgery that used in treating non small cell lung cancer. They are wedge resection, pneumonectomy, lobectomy and sleeve resection. Many a times even when the cancer is removed through surgery, patients are given radiation or chemotherapy to kill any cancer cells that possibly may have remained.
• Laser Therapy - As the name suggests, laser beams are used to kill the cancer cells.
• Electrocautery - This is a treatment form where a needle is heated with electric current and then is used to destroy the cancer affected tissue.
• Photodynamic Therapy - This is form of treatment where drugs and a specific type of laser light are used to destroy the cancer cells.
• Cryosurgery - This is a treatment that is similar to electrocautery however the cancer affected tissue is destroyed using an instrument that freezes the affected area.

NSCLC Chemotherapy Side Effects

Chemotherapy is a kind of treatment that has many side effects. However, these side effects can be controlled with the use of medicines. Some of the most common side effects of chemotherapy for non small cell lung cancer are highlighted below:

• Mouth sores
• Fatigue
• Low count of white blood cells
• Unexplained bleeding and bruising
• Hair Loss
• Anemia
• Nausea

NSCLC chemotherapy is a treatment that is used with other treatments or after other treatment options have been carried out. As mentioned earlier, the type of treatment for non small cell lung cancer depends on the stages and type of the non small cell lung cancer the patient is suffering from. NSCLC chemotherapy regimens would also depend on the stage of the cancer and the general health of the patient.

Do check out our next entry on SCLC chemotherapy, to know more about lung cancer chemotherapy.