If your lung cancer is considered stage two, it has spread to the nearby lymph nodes, but has not traveled elsewhere yet. This is considered early-stage lung cancer, but it can be difficult to remove all of the cancer surgically, as your cancer cells are on the move, and are not always easy to see.
Your oncologist may suggest adjuvant chemotherapy–or adding chemotherapy after you have undergone surgery–to kill any and all errant cancer cells and keep a recurrence at bay. This approach is usually taken when the risk of recurrence is high. The evidence-based theory is that hitting the lung cancer early and hard with chemotherapy can literally stop progression in its tracks. Chemotherapy does have side effects, but these can be managed with medication and lifestyle changes. Immunotherapy can also be considered.
Read MoreLearn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.