Lung cancer starts in the lungs and may spread to lymph nodes or other parts of the body, such as the brain. Cancer from other body parts also may spread to the lungs. When cancer cells spread from one another, they are called metastases. Lung cancer cells commonly are grouped into two main categories known as small cell and non-small cell (including squamous cell and adenocarcinoma). This type of lung cancer develops differently and is treated differently. Non-small cell lung cancer is more common than small cell lung tumors.
Types of Treatment in lung cancer. Lung cancer is treated in numerous ways, depending on the kind of lung cancer and how distant it has spread. Persons with non-small cell lung tumors can be treated which chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, or a combination of any of these treatments. People with small cell lung cancer are normally treated with radiation therapy and chemotherapy.