How does chemotherapy help to treat non-small cell lung cancer?

Chemotherapy uses orally-administered or intravenous drugs to kill non-small cell lung cancer cells. Therapy is administered over several weeks or months. Different combinations of drugs may be used, and the therapy may be administered in combination with surgery or other treatments, like radiation therapy, to help make them more effective. Your oncologist will determine the best combination for you. Chemotherapy may be used to treat non-small cell lung cancer in its earlier stages, but even in the later stages of the disease chemotherapy can help relieve symptoms.