How are lung carcinoid tumors treated?

Making treatment decisions for lung carcinoid tumors

After the tumor is found and staged, your cancer care team will discuss your treatment options with you. The main factors in selecting a treatment for lung carcinoid tumors are the type of carcinoid, the size and location of the tumor, whether it has spread to lymph nodes or other organs, and if you have any other serious medical conditions. Based on these factors, the main treatment options for people with lung carcinoid tumors may include:

• Surgery
• Chemotherapy
• Other drug treatments
• Radiation therapy

In some cases, more than one of these treatments may be used.

Selecting a treatment plan is an important decision, and you should take the time to think about all of your choices. Seeking a second opinion is often a good idea if time permits. A second opinion may provide more information and help you feel more confident about the treatment plan you choose.

You may have different types of doctors on your treatment team, depending on the stage of your cancer and your treatment options. These doctors may include:

• A thoracic surgeon: a doctor who treats diseases of the lungs and chest with surgery.
• A medical oncologist: a doctor who treats cancer with medicines such as chemotherapy.
• A pulmonologist: a doctor who specializes in medical treatment of diseases of the lungs.
• A radiation oncologist: a doctor who treats cancer with radiation therapy.

Many other specialists may be involved in your care as well, including nurse practitioners, nurses, respiratory therapists, social workers, and other health professionals.

The next few sections describe the various types of treatments used for lung carcinoids. This is followed by a description of the most common approaches based on the extent of the disease.