If you choose to not have a pneumonectomy, there may be different treatments you can try instead. Possible pneumonectomy alternatives include lung cancer chemotherapy and lung cancer radiation therapy. For people who can't have surgery, their doctor may try these other treatments. Some people will have the surgery and chemotherapy or radiation. But the effectiveness of these treatments will depend on what kind of lung tumor you have.

 

For people with lung cancer that can be operated on, a pneumonectomy usually gives the best chance to relieve lung cancer symptoms. It's also the best way to keep the cancer from spreading to other parts of the body. Your other treatment options will depend on what kind of cancer you have and your overall health.

 

If you have questions, or if you want to learn more about your options, please talk to your doctor.