Non-small cell lung cancer

Question 1

What happens during a lung biopsy, and why is it needed along with imaging?

Accepted Answer

To check for lung cancer, your care team may use several tests together. They start by asking about your health history and family history. They also do a physical exam. They may order imaging tests, such as a chest x-ray or CT scan. They may also order lab tests, including tests of blood or sputum. A biopsy is often done too. A biopsy is a procedure that takes a small piece of lung tissue. Imaging, lab tests, and biopsy are all part of this same process. Lung cancer may not cause any symptoms until it has become advanced. Sometimes lung cancer is found on a chest x-ray done for another reason. If lung cancer is confirmed, more tests are done. These tests check whether the cancer has spread further. It may have spread to the lungs, lymph nodes, or other body parts. This step is called staging. Knowing the type and stage helps the care team plan treatment. Your care team can explain what each test involves.

Question 2

What is a liquid biopsy, and when might my care team use it instead of a tissue sample?

Accepted Answer

To check for lung cancer, your care team usually uses more than one kind of test together. They will ask about your symptoms, your medical history, and your family history, and do a physical exam. They may order imaging tests, such as a chest x-ray or CT scan, to look at your lungs. They may order lab tests on your blood and sputum, which is the mucus you cough up. A biopsy, a procedure that takes a small sample of lung tissue to study closely, is another test they may use. Your care team decides which combination of these tests fits your situation.

Question 3

What is biomarker testing, and why does it matter so much for lung cancer?

Accepted Answer

Doctors test lung cancer cells to help choose the best treatment. Lung cancer has two main types, and these types grow and behave differently. Because the types differ, doctors treat each one in a different way. Lab tests can show which type of lung cancer is present. They can also show how far it has spread, a step called staging. Knowing the type and stage helps the care team decide what treatment is needed. For small-cell lung cancer, the care team may test the cancer cells for gene changes. This kind of testing is sometimes called biomarker testing. The results of that testing may help guide treatment choices. Non-small cell lung cancer is the more common type of lung cancer. One treatment option for non-small cell lung cancer is targeted therapy. Targeted therapy uses medicine that attacks specific cancer cells. It causes less harm to normal, healthy cells. In general, treatment depends on the type of lung cancer. It also depends on how far the cancer has spread and a person's overall health. Your care team can explain which tests make sense for your situation.

Question 4

What is non-small cell lung cancer, and how is it different from other types of lung cancer?

Accepted Answer

Non-small cell lung cancer is a disease where cancer forms in the tissue of the lungs, usually in the cells that line the airways. Lung cancer has two main types: small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. These two types are different because they grow at different rates and are treated with different approaches. Non-small cell lung cancer is the more common of the two types. Lung cancer overall is the leading cause of cancer death for both men and women. Your care team can explain which type is present and what that means for your treatment plan.

Question 5

Why is lung cancer often found at a later stage when people first notice symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Lung cancer is often found at a later stage because it frequently causes no symptoms at first. Lung cancer may not cause any signs or symptoms until the cancer is advanced. Because of this, it is sometimes found by chance, such as during a chest x-ray done for another health problem. Confirming lung cancer also takes more than just a scan. A doctor reviews a person's health history and family history, and does a physical exam. The care team may also order imaging tests, like a chest x-ray or CT scan, plus blood tests. They may take a small tissue sample, called a biopsy, to look closely at the cells. Going through all these steps takes time, which can add to a later diagnosis. Your care team will tell you what signs and symptoms to watch for. If you have any concerns, it helps to talk with your care team.

Question 6

Why are targeted medicines only an option for some people with lung cancer, and how does my care team decide if I might benefit?

Accepted Answer

Targeted therapy is a medicine that attacks specific cancer cells. It causes less harm to normal cells. It is one of several treatments for non-small cell lung cancer. Other options include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. Your care team chooses a treatment plan based on several things. These include the type of lung cancer and how far it has spread. They also include overall health and other factors. This is part of why targeted therapy fits some people but not others. Sometimes more than one treatment is used at the same time. Knowing the type and stage of the cancer helps with this. It helps the care team decide what treatment is needed. Talk with your care team about whether targeted therapy fits your plan.

Question 7

What do EGFR mutations and ALK rearrangements mean, and how do they change my treatment options?

Accepted Answer

There is no single answer. Treatment for non-small cell lung cancer depends on several factors. Your care team looks at the type and stage of the cancer. They also consider how far it has spread and your overall health. Because of this, a person may get more than one kind of treatment. One option is targeted therapy. It uses drugs or other substances that attack specific cancer cells. This causes less harm to normal cells. Knowing the type and stage of the cancer matters. It helps your provider decide what treatment is needed. You may have heard the terms EGFR or ALK. These describe specific details found in a person's own cancer. Your care team can explain what these details mean. They can also explain how this shapes your treatment plan.

Question 8

What warning signs of lung cancer should people know about?

Accepted Answer

Lung cancer often causes no signs at first. This includes non-small cell lung cancer, the more common type. Sometimes it is found during a chest x-ray done for an unrelated reason. As lung cancer grows, it can cause symptoms. These include chest pain or discomfort. Another is a cough that does not go away or gets worse over time. Other symptoms are coughing up blood, trouble breathing, and wheezing. Hoarseness, loss of appetite, and weight loss for no known reason can also occur. Feeling very tired and trouble swallowing are other possible signs. Swelling in the face or neck veins can occur too. Your care team can evaluate these signs and order tests to find the cause.

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