Lung Cancer, Non-Small Cell Health Article

Coping with cancer treatment

The side effects associated with treatment of non-small cell lung cancer can be severe. Patients should ask their doctor about medications to treat nausea and vomiting, and other side effects. It is particularly important to eat a nutritious diet and to drink plenty of fluids. In addition, most patients report feeling very tired and should get plenty of rest.

Patients should consider joining a local support group with people who are coping with the same experiences. Many people with cancer find they can share thoughts and feelings with group members that they do not feel comfortable sharing with friends or family. Support groups are also a good source of information about coping with cancer.

Clinical trials

Patients diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer should discuss participating in a clinical trial with their doctor. There are many clinical trials currently underway that are investigating all different stages of the disease. These trials are studying various new treatment options including:

• Chemotherapy with new drugs, and combinations of drugs
• Courses of chemotherapy prior to surgery
• Radiotherapy after surgery
• Chemotherapy and radiotherapy in combination.

Information on open clinical trials is available on the Internet from the National Cancer Institute at <http://cancertrials.nci.nih.gov>.

Prevention

The best way to prevent lung cancer is not to start smoking or to quit smoking. Secondhand smoke from other people's tobacco should also be avoided. Appropriate precautions should be taken when working with cancer-causing substances (carcinogens). Testing houses for the presence of radon gas, and removing asbestos from buildings have also been suggested as preventive strategies.

Special concerns

Respiratory distress

Patients who are having difficulty breathing because of non-small cell lung cancer are often unable to get enough oxygen and suffer from respiratory distress. These patients may begin breathing more quickly and wheezing. Patients will usually be given oxygen and medications such as morphine that will help them breathe more easily.

Follow-up

Regular checkups after treatment for non-small cell lung cancer are extremely important. Patients who have been treated for lung cancer should report any health problems to their doctor immediately to ensure quick treatment if the cancer has returned.

See Also Cigarettes; Smoking cessation

Resources

BOOKS

Brambilla, Christian, and Elisabeth Brambilla, ed. Lung Tumors. Fundamental Biology and Clinical Management. New York: Marcel Dekker, 1999.

Skarin, Harry S., ed. Multimodality Treatment of Lung Cancer. New York: Marcel Dekker, 2000.

PERIODICALS

Carney, Desmond N., and Heine H. Hansen. "Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: Stalemate or Progress?" New England Jour nal of Medicine 343, no. 17 (26 October 2000): 1261-3.

Deslauriers, Jean, and Jocelyn Gregoire. "Clinical and Surgical Staging of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer." Chest 117, no.4, supplement 1 (April 2000): 96S-103S.

Hoffman, Phillip C., et al. "Lung Cancer." The Lancet (355) (5February 2000): 479-85.

Johnson, David H. "Locally Advanced, Unresectable Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. New Treatment Strategies."Chest 117, no.4, supplement 1 (April 2000): 123S-126S.

ORGANIZATIONS

Alliance for Lung Cancer Advocacy, Support and Education. PO Box 849 Vancouver, WA 98666. (800) 298-2436.<http://www.alcase.org>.

American Lung Association. (800) 586-4872. <http://www.lungusa.org>.

National Cancer Institute (National Institutes of Health). 9000Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892. (800) 422-6237.<http://www.nci.nih.gov>

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (National Institutes of Health). PO Box 8218, Silver Spring, MD 20907-8218. (888) 644-6226. <http://nccam.nih.gov>.

Lata Cherath, Ph.D

Alison McTavish, M.Sc.

QUESTIONS TO ASK THE DOCTOR

• What type of lung cancer do I have?
• Has the cancer spread?
• What are the treatment options?
• Is there a clinical trial I can participate in?
• What is my prognosis?

Bronchi

—The tubes that carry air into the lungs.

Lymph

—Clear fluid containing white blood cells that is collected from the tissues of the body and flows in vessels called the lymphatic system.

Lymph node

—Small, oval shaped filters in the lymphatic system that trap bacteria and other unwanted particles to ensure their removal from the body.

Respiratory distress

—A condition where patients with lung disease are not able to get enough oxygen.