Question

What is the difference between small cell and non-small cell lung cancer treatment?

1) Small cell lung cancer is treated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy, while non-small cell lung cancer is treated with surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy.
2) Small cell lung cancer is treated with surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy, while non-small cell lung cancer is treated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
3) Small cell lung cancer is treated with surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy, while non-small cell lung cancer is treated with surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy.
4) Small cell lung cancer is treated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy, while non-small cell lung cancer is treated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Answer 1

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is treated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy, while non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) involves a range of treatments including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy.

Step-by-step explanation:

The key difference between small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatments lies in the strategies and options available. Small cell lung cancer is primarily treated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy because of its aggressive nature and the likelihood of early spread beyond the lung. In contrast, non-small cell lung cancer is typically treated with a broader range of options, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. Surgery is often the first line of treatment for NSCLC when the tumor is localized and operable. Targeted therapy and immunotherapy are newer forms of treatments that focus on specific genetic or immunologic characteristics of the cancer cells, which is often applicable to certain types of NSCLC.