Only one in five individuals with lung cancer are candidates for surgery, which can cure the disease. Surgery may be an option for tumor removal if it has not spread outside of the chest and does not affect essential organs like the liver, but only if the patient doesn't simultaneously have severe bronchitis, heart problems, or other ailments. The patient is under too much stress as a result of these extra issues to tolerate surgery.

Small cell lung cancer is treated with chemotherapy. This is given either by an oncologist (a specialist in cancer treatment) or sometimes by a physician in chest diseases with special experience in chemotherapy. Because it is administered in courses, the patient must stay in the hospital for around 48 hours every three weeks.

Popular misconceptions about chemotherapy are common and there is often concern about its perceived difficulties and usefulness. However, there is no doubt that chemotherapy is effective and that it both prolongs and improves the quality of survival in small cell lung cancer. The number of courses required will depend on how well the individual patient responds.

Chemotherapy does have side effects, particularly nausea, vomiting and hair loss.To manage these adverse effects, there are, nevertheless, several excellent medications. Approximately three months after the last chemotherapy treatment, hair begins to come back..

There is scope for improving the results of chemotherapy and many research trials are going on. Patients should not be alarmed when asked to provide their permission to participate in a trial. Trials involving hundreds of individuals look for benefits comparing different treatment plans. This research must be done if cancer chemotherapy can continue to improve.

Non-small cell cancer may be treated with radiotherapy, chemotherapy (as part of a research trial), or with supportive care.

Radiotherapy is either 'radical' or 'palliative'. Radical is used in selected patients with localised tumours who are inoperable, and involves using high doses of radiation.

Palliative radiotherapy is widely used. It involves using lower doses of radiation - often in just one or two doses. It is excellent for treating symptoms including bone pain, blood in the sputum (haemoptysis), blockage of the airway, and big veins in the chest.

What is the outlook?

About 10 per cent of patients can expect to be 'cured' - that is alive five years after diagnosis with no evidence of the cancer having returned.

However, all patients can benefit from palliative treatment which can improve the quality of survival.

The primary advancement in lung cancer treatment in recent years has been in palliative care, with a focus on symptom management and family support..

The course of lung cancer may be brutally short. In the UK, MacMillan Cancer Relief charity, the Hospice movement, the family doctor and their team provide invaluable support and information to patients and families affected by cancer.