--- title: Lung Cancer Treatment with Chemotherapy | Treating Lung Cancer description: A number of chemotherapeutic regimens can be used to treat non-small cell lung cancer. Learn more about treating lung cancer with chemotherapy. image: https://www.lung-cancer.com/hubfs/lung-cancer-open-graph-1.jpg --- [![sr-logo@2x](https://www.sprocketrocket.co/hs-fs/hubfs/sr-assets/images/sr-logo@2x.png?width=180&name=sr-logo@2x.png) ![Lung-Cancer-Logo](https://www.lung-cancer.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Lung-Cancer-Logo.png?width=300&name=Lung-Cancer-Logo.png)](https://www.lung-cancer.com/) [1-800-998-9729](tel:+18009989729) [![Get Compensation](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/9206347/19183636-5e74-4bd8-aa74-0ff135c8d838.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/9206347/19183636-5e74-4bd8-aa74-0ff135c8d838) - Detection & Diagnosis - [Signs & Symptoms of Lung Cancer](https://www.lung-cancer.com/symptoms) - [Screening for Lung Cancer](https://www.lung-cancer.com/screening) - [Diagnosing Lung Cancer](https://www.lung-cancer.com/diagnosis) - [Types of Lung Cancer](https://www.lung-cancer.com/types) - [Stages of Lung Cancer](https://www.lung-cancer.com/stages) - Treatment Options - [Lung Cancer Treatment Options](https://www.lung-cancer.com/treatment) - [Surgery](https://www.lung-cancer.com/surgery) - [Radiation Therapy](https://www.lung-cancer.com/radiation-therapy) - [Chemotherapy](https://www.lung-cancer.com/chemotherapy) - [Immunotherapy](https://www.lung-cancer.com/immunotherapy) - [Targeted Therapy](https://www.lung-cancer.com/targeted-therapy) - [Laser Therapy](https://www.lung-cancer.com/laser-therapy) - Causes & Risk Factors - [Causes of Lung Cancer](https://www.lung-cancer.com/causes) - [Agent Orange](https://www.lung-cancer.com/agent-orange) - [Asbestos](https://www.lung-cancer.com/asbestos) - [Heavy Metals](https://www.lung-cancer.com/metals) - [Radon](https://www.lung-cancer.com/radon) - [Tobacco](https://www.lung-cancer.com/tobacco) - Resources - [Patient Resources](https://www.lung-cancer.com/patient-resources) - [Legal Assistance](https://www.lung-cancer.com/legal-assistance) - [Prognosis & Survival Rates](https://www.lung-cancer.com/prognosis) - [Lung Cancer Rates by State](https://www.lung-cancer.com/rates-by-state) - [Metastatic Lung Cancer FAQs](https://www.lung-cancer.com/metastatic-lung-cancer-faqs) - [![Get Compensation](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/9206347/19183636-5e74-4bd8-aa74-0ff135c8d838.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/9206347/19183636-5e74-4bd8-aa74-0ff135c8d838) Menu # Lung Cancer Treatment with Chemotherapy A number of chemotherapeutic regimens can be used to [treat non-small cell lung cancer](https://www.lung-cancer.com/treatment). These are usually reserved 1) for higher stages of lung cancer (stages III and IV) or 2) as adjuvant therapy, that is, to be used after surgery or 3) as neoadjuvant therapy, which is treatment before surgery. Neoadjuvant therapy is done to make the tumor smaller so that surgery will be easier or more effective. Adjuvant therapy is performed to kill cancer cells that may have been missed [in the surgery](https://www.lung-cancer.com/surgery) or spread from the primary tumor. The standard of care in the treatment of NSCLC is to use a platinum-based chemotherapeutic agent, especially in advanced diseases (stages III and especially IV). Most studies have shown that two agents are better than one. Three agents used in combination do not provide much additional benefit but do cause a number of additional, unpleasant side effects. Therefore chemotherapy regimens usually include two drugs. Often this combination regimen includes a platinum drug [like cisplatin](http://www.cisplatin.org/) along with either an older ([etoposide](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a684055.html)) or newer (docetaxel, gemcitabine, pemetrexed (Alimta), or vinorelbine) chemotherapeutic drug. Chemotherapy is used to treat both limited and extensive small cell lung cancer. In limited disease, patients have been successfully treated with a single chemotherapeutic drug (when combined with radiation). In most cases though, two drugs are used rather than one. These two drugs are commonly a platinum drug and etoposide. In extensive SCLC, two chemotherapeutic drugs are used. The specific chemotherapeutic agents used in extensive SCLC vary. The following table lists drugs approved by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for use in both non-small cell and small cell lung cancers. It is important to keep in mind that this list may not be all-inclusive and that new drugs are approved on a regular basis. Your best source of information on any drug or combination of drugs recommended for use in your particular case is your Medical Oncologist. ## FDA-Approved Drugs for Use in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancers #### Generic Name: Methotrexate #### Brand Name(s): Abitrexate, Folex, Folex PFS, Methotrexate LPF, Mexate, Mexate A-Q #### Generic Name: Pemetrexed Disodium #### Brand Name(s): Alimta #### Generic Name: Bevacizumab #### Brand Name(s): Avastin #### Generic Name: Carboplatin #### Brand Name(s): Paraplat, Paraplatin #### Generic Name: Cisplatin #### Brand Name(s): Platinol, Platinol A-Q #### Generic Name: Erlontinib Hydrochloride #### Brand Name(s): Tarceva #### Generic Name: Gefitinib #### Brand Name(s): Iressa #### Generic Name: Gemcitabine Hydrochloride #### Brand Name(s): Gemzar #### Generic Name: Paclitaxel #### Brand Name(s): Taxol ## FDA-Approved Drugs for Use in Small Cell Lung Cancers #### Generic Name: Methotrexate #### Brand Name(s): Abitrexate, Folex, Folex PFS, Methotrexate LPF, Mexate, Mexate A-Q #### Generic Name: Etoposide Phosphate #### Brand Name(s): Etopophos #### Generic Name: Etoposide #### Brand Name(s): Toposar, VePesid #### Generic Name: Topotecan Hydrochloride #### Brand Name(s): Hycamtin ## Lung Cancer Clinical Trials Both NSCLC and SCLC patients may be possible to enroll in a clinical trial of lung cancer treatments. These trials usually compare new therapies against older ones to see if outcomes can be improved. [Targeted therapies](https://www.lung-cancer.com/targeted-therapy), radiosensitizers, internal radiation sources, and newer combination treatment regimens are just some of the treatment tools being tested in research and clinical studies. These new treatments may improve survival or may lead to future breakthroughs. Note that crizotinib (Xalkori) was recently approved for the treatment of ALK (anaplastic lymphoma kinase) positive advanced-stage lung cancer. **Read more about: »** [Lung Cancer Patient Assistance](https://www.lung-cancer.com/patient-resources) #### If you, or someone you know, has lung cancer and you would like to know if they qualify for additional compensation, please call [1-800-998-9729](tel:+18009989729) for a FREE consultation. ![Lung-Cancer-Logo](https://www.lung-cancer.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Lung-Cancer-Logo.png?width=300&name=Lung-Cancer-Logo.png) - [Treatment Options](https://www.lung-cancer.com/treatment) - [Detection & Diagnosis](https://www.lung-cancer.com/diagnosis) - [Risk Factors & Causes](https://www.lung-cancer.com/causes) - [Resources](https://www.lung-cancer.com/patient-resources) Lung Cancer Answers is a website devoted to life issues for lung cancer patients and their families and is sponsored by Brad Cooper\* of Cooper, Hart, Leggiero & Whitehead, PLLC. Cooper, Hart, Leggiero & Whitehead is located in The Woodlands, Texas (Greater Houston Area), handles cases nationwide with co-counsel in state of filing, and can be reached toll-free at 1-800-998-9729 for more information on lung cancer. Brad Cooper is not a medical doctor. The information on these pages is for the education of lung cancer patients and their families regarding potential medical and legal options. Patients are advised to consult with a medical doctor. \* Licensed by the Supreme Courts of Texas. ©2026 Cooper, Hart, Leggiero & Whitehead, PLLC. All rights reserved.