Lung Cancer Medical Reference
- Why Test for EGFR Mutations?
Comprehensive biomarker testing can identify EGFR or other mutations in your lung cancer. Learn the benefits of testing and how it can help shape treatment.
- The Role of EGFR Mutations in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Treatments
Some non-small-cell lung cancers (NSCLC) have changes in a gene called EGFR. If your NSCLC has these mutations, your doctor likely will recommend treatment with targeted therapies that block EGFR. Learn what you should know about your treatment options and outlook.
- Caring for Mental Health With Metastatic SCLC
Metastatic small-cell lung cancer can have a lasting effect your mental health. Learn what to watch for and how to get the support and care you need.
- Staying Positive With Metastatic SCLC
Living with metastatic small-cell lung cancer is challenging, but there are things you can do to find a positive attitude and feel more in control.
- Early Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer
What is early non-small-cell lung cancer? Learn about this type of lung cancer, what may cause it, how it’s diagnosed and treated if caught early, and how to take good care of yourself during treatment and recovery.
- EGFR Exon 20 Insertion Mutation
Normally, your EGFR helps healthy cells grow and spread. Changes that can happen to EGFR can cause cancer. One is an exon 20 insertion mutation.
- Practical Tips for People With Lung Cancer
Living with lung cancer comes with many challenges. Try these strategies as you go through treatment.
- The Cost of Lung Cancer
From screening to doctor visits to chemotherapy and surgery, lung cancer costs can come at a hefty price. Find out how the kinds of expenses that Medicare or a health insurance plan will pay and what you might have to pay on your own.
- How to Quit Smoking if You Have Lung Cancer
If you are living with lung cancer, it’s more important than ever to quit smoking. Learn helpful tips and resources on how you can overcome the obstacles and give up your smoking habit for good.
- What Causes Lung Cancer?
It’s more than just smoking. Find out some of the main causes of lung cancer and what puts you at risk for it.
- Conditions That Can Seem Like Lung Cancer
In its early stages, lung cancer usually doesn’t have many warning signs. Over time, you may notice symptoms like chest pain, coughing, and shortness of breath. But several other conditions can also cause these things. Learn more about conditions that may seem like lung cancer.
- What Helps to Prevent Lung Cancer From Coming Back?
After you’ve completed treatment for lung cancer, there’s no guarantee it won’t come back. But there are things you can do reduce the risk.
- Lung Cancer Complications
Lung cancer is caused by cancerous tumors that can spread across the lungs and to different parts of the body. Depending on where the tumor is located, you may cause other health complications along with lung cancer.
- Can You Exercise When You Have Lung Cancer?
If you have lung cancer, you may be unsure about exercise. But physical activity can help you breathe, feel, and manage your cancer better. Learn how you can start exercising and working out safely.
- What to Expect During Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Treatment
Find out what you can expect from NSCLC treatment and how you’ll get care.
- Palliative Care to Help Your NSCLC Treatment
This type of medicine can give you the physical, emotional, and social support you need throughout your cancer. Here’s how it works.
- When Cancer Spreads to the Lungs
Metastatic, or secondary, lung cancer starts in another part of your body but spreads to your lungs. Learn the signs and symptoms, how to treat it, and what the outlook is for someone who has it.
- Is Cannabis a Potential Lung Cancer Treatment?
Medical marijuana may relieve some lung cancer symptoms, but whether it treats this cancer is still unknown.
- Chemotherapy for Lung Cancer
Is chemo the best way to treat your lung cancer? Depending on your type of lung cancer and how advanced it is, chemo may be used before or after surgery, and with or without radiation. Find out what you need to know about chemo and newer treatments that may replace it.
- Natural and Alternative Treatments for Lung Cancer
While they’re not a cure, natural therapies can help to ease side effects and symptoms of lung cancer. What’s the difference between complementary and alternative medicine, and what should you look out for before trying this type of therapy?
- Symptoms of Pancoast Tumors
They’re a rare type of lung cancer, but they don’t cause typical lung cancer symptoms. Learn more about the signs.
- When to Change Your Treatment Plan for Metastatic NSCLC
If you have metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), you might wonder if the treatment plan your doctor recommended is the best one for you. Here's how to know if you're ready for a change.
- Get the Most out of Metastatic NSCLC Treatment
Treatment for metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer may feel overwhelming. Here are six strategies to get the most out of your treatment.
- Working With Your Metastatic NSCLC Medical Care Team
There’s a lot to keep track of when you go through lung cancer treatment. That includes the members of your medical care team.
- How to Choose Your Best Treatment Plan for Metastatic NSCLC
Your treatment plan for metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer will depend on a number of things. Here’s what you need to consider.
- Tips to Manage Metastatic NSCLC Side Effects
Treatments for metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer can ease pain and help you live longer and better. But they do have side effects. Learn how to manage them.
- Is a Clinical Trial Right for Me?
If you have extensive small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), you may want to think about taking part in a clinical trial. Find out what a trial can do for you, what to expect, and where to find one.
- Treatment Options for Extensive Stage Small-Cell Lung Cancer
For most people with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), the disease is in the extensive stage before it’s found. Find out what treatments can ease your symptoms and help you live longer.
- What Is Extensive Small-Cell Lung Cancer?
Extensive small cell lung cancer is an advanced form of this less common type of cancer. Learn more about the risk factors, how it’s different from the limited stage, and why it’s more likely to be in this stage when it’s found.
- How Is Extensive Small-Cell Lung Cancer Diagnosed?
The diagnosis of small-cell lung cancer requires more than just getting a tissue sample to biopsy. Learn more about how doctors can find it and figure out how far it has spread.
- Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Small-cell lung cancer is most often caused by heavy smoking. Treatment can help ease symptoms.
- When You Can't Get Surgery for Metastatic NSCLC
Once non-small-cell lung cancer spreads, surgery may not be an option. Learn which treatments can slow your cancer and relieve symptoms.
- What Is Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT)?
Learn what kinds of cancer get treated by a type of radiation therapy called stereotactic body radiotherapy, and find out how to prepare and what kind of side effects to expect.
- What’s the Link Between Lung Cancer and Shoulder Pain?
Shoulder pain usually isn’t caused by lung cancer. But in some rare types of lung cancer or cancer that’s spread, you could have shoulder pain. Find out why.
- Is Lung Cancer Genetic?
If some of your relatives had lung cancer, could you get it, too? Learn how your genes could affect your risk.
- Your Chances of Surviving Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is the No. 1 cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. It’s also among the toughest cancers to beat. Find out the survival rates for different types and stages of lung cancer, what the numbers mean, and how they’re calculated.
- The Link Between Lung Cancer and Back Pain
Find out why pain in the back is sometimes a symptom of lung cancer, and how you can treat it.
- When Lung Cancer Comes Back
For some people, lung cancer returns after treatment. Find out your odds, what symptoms to look for, and how it’s treated the second time around.
- What Is VATS (Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery)?
VATS or video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery may be an option if you need certain types of lung surgery. Find out what’s involved.
- Stage II Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: What to Know
Stage II lung cancer can often be treated with surgery. Here’s what to know about your treatment options, chances of survival, and living with cancer.
- Stage III Lung Cancer
Stage III lung cancer can include people with widely different cases of the disease. Learn what it means to have this “locally advanced” cancer, treatments, and what to expect.
- What Is Stage IV of Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer?
Learn about the symptoms of this stage of lung cancer and your treatment options.
- What Is a Thoracotomy?
A thoracotomy is an operation that lets a surgeon see and work on your heart, lungs, or esophagus. It can help diagnose or treat certain conditions.
- Stage I (Early-Stage) Lung Cancer
When it comes to lung cancer, early detection and treatment are crucial. Find out how you can take control of your health and beat this disease for good.
- Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma
Where is asbestos found? Who’s at highest risk to get cancer? Learn more about the link between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma.
- Breathing Exercises for Metastatic NSCLC
Improve your lung strength and mental health with these breathing exercises if you have lung cancer.
- What Are Lung Carcinoid Tumors?
Only 1% to 2% of lung cancers are carcinoid tumors. How are these rare tumors different from the more common types of lung cancers? Here’s what you need to know.
- Your Genes and Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Your risk for the condition may be affected by gene mutations. Learn what causes them and how genes may affect cancer treatment.
- What Is Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer?
Learn its causes, symptoms, and usual treatments of this most common type of lung cancer.
- What to Do After Lung Cancer Treatment
When your lung cancer treatment is over, treat yourself to a healthy life. Here’s how to be a survivor who follows up and follows through.