Etoposide belongs to the group of cancer-fighting medications called  antineoplastics. Etoposide kills cancer cells by interfering with the genetic material DNA, which is necessary for their growth and reproduction. Etoposide is used alone or in combination with other antineoplastic medications to treat many types of cancer. These include certain types of lung cancer, lymphoma (cancer of the lymph cells), and cancers of the testicles.