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EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY
Cancer Information Fairs
Talk with members of Northwestern's supportive care team and staff from local cancer support organizations, and take home information and resource guides on a wide range of cancer-related topics at the Cancer Connection Day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Novmber 4, in the 21st floor conference room of Galter Pavilion, 675 N. St. Clair, Chicago. The Cancer Information Fair is offered free of charge. Light refreshments provided. For additonal information visit cancer.northwestern.edu/events |
What Is Lung Cancer?
Lung cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in one or both lungs. These abnormal cells do not carry out the functions of normal cells and do not develop into healthy lung tissue. As they grow, the abnormal cells can form tumors and impede the function of the lung, which is to provide oxygen to the body via the blood.
There are different types of lung cancer and each type is treated differently.
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Types of Lung Cancer
Lung cancers, also known as bronchogenic carcinomas ("carcinoma" is another term for cancer), are broadly classified into two types: small cell lung cancers (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC). This classification is based upon the microscopic appearance of the tumor cells themselves. These two types of cancers grow and spread in different ways, so a distinction between these two types is important.
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Prevention
If you are a current or former smoker, have been exposed to asbestos, radon, other environmental factors, secondhand smoke, or have a family member who developed lung cancer but who did not have those risk factors, then you may be at increased risk of developing lung cancer.
If you are at risk of developing lung cancer, the most important thing you can do is to quit smoking (if you smoke). Because smoking can cause cancers other than lung cancer, such as cancers of the esophagus, pancreas, larynx, bladder, and others, stopping smoking will reduce your risk of developing those cancers, too. Research shows that smoking cessation has many benefits that are apparent soon after quitting, such as lowered blood pressure and increased lung capacity. Depending on how long and how much you smoked, quitting may not completely erase your risk of developing lung cancer, but it will definitely reduce the risk. Read more...
Treatment Options
The choice of treatment depends mainly on the type of lung cancer and its stage. People with lung cancer may have surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, or a combination of treatments.
People with limited stage small cell lung cancer usually have radiation therapy and chemotherapy. For a very small lung tumor, a person may have surgery and chemotherapy. Most people with extensive stage small cell lung cancer are treated with chemotherapy only.
People with non-small cell lung cancer may have surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination of treatments. The treatment choices are different for each stage. Some people with advanced cancer receive targeted therapy.
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Clinical Trials
Lung cancer is hard to control with current treatments. For that reason, many doctors encourage patients with this disease to consider taking part in a clinical trial. Clinical trials are an important option for people with all stages of lung cancer. Clinical trials are designed to answer important questions and to find out whether new approaches are safe and effective.
Research already has led to advances that have helped people live longer, and research continues. Researchers are studying methods of preventing lung cancer and ways to screen for it. They are also trying to find better ways to treat it.
Clinical Trials for lung cancer patients at the Lurie Cancer Center
Additional Resources:
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