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HealthInfo Canterbury

Diagnosing & treating lung cancer

If your doctor thinks you might have lung cancer, they'll arrange some tests.

These may include:

They may also refer you to a respiratory physician, a specialist who is an expert in lung problems. Further tests with the respiratory physician may include:

Treating lung cancer

There are several treatments for lung cancer including chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery.

Your treatment will depend on:

Early non-small-cell lung cancer is usually treated with surgery. A combination of radiation treatment and chemotherapy may also be needed.

Small-cell lung cancer is usually treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

This Cancer Society page has more information about lung cancer treatments.

Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Endorsed by community respiratory physician, Canterbury DHB. Page created June 2021.

See also:

Lung cancer

Sources

Page reference: 850599

Review key: HILUC-282689