A lung cancer diagnosis can be a scary. You may feel anger, frustration, and fear.

Lung cancer is a serious disease that requires immediate and specialized treatment. Though you may be confused and scared, it is important to understand your diagnosis and your treatment options. A second opinion not only helps you get the best treatment possible, but can also help to give you peace of mind.

What Is Lung Cancer?

Lung cancer develops when an uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells forms a tumor in one or both of your lungs. These tumors are deemed malignant or cancerous. The abnormal cancer cells can grow out of control and destroy healthy lung tissue in the process.

Cancer in your lungs can affect your breathing. If the tumor continues to grow, it can spread (metastasize) to other parts of your body.

What Causes Lung Cancer?

Lung cancer is the result of mutated (genetically transformed) cells in the lung. This is often due to breathing in dangerous or toxic substances at some point during your life. The American Lung Association lists smoking as the number one cause of lung cancer, noting that smoking causes about 87 percent of lung cancer cases. Many known chemicals that cause cancer (carcinogens) are found in tobacco smoke.

Nonsmokers who breathe in excessive amounts of second-hand smoke also have an increased risk for developing lung cancer.

The second leading cause of lung cancer is the radioactive gas radon. Radon is colorless, odorless, and occurs naturally in soil. Hazardous exposure to certain chemicals, particle pollution, and even genetics can also play a role in the development of lung cancer. You can also develop lung cancer from an unknown cause.

Diagnosis

The diagnostic process varies greatly from person to person. Your doctor will most likely initially order a chest X-ray, then follow-up with a CT scan, PET scan, or MRI scan to determine if you have lung cancer. These scans can also help your doctor to determine if the cancer has spread.

Your doctor may study a section of lung tissue (lung biopsy) or even fluid from the lung (pleurocentesis) to determine if you have lung cancer. Afterwards, they might perform a bone scan to see if the cancer has spread to your bones. If your doctor diagnoses you with lung cancer, they’ll immediately begin to discuss your next steps.

There are several lung cancer treatment options. Your doctor will go over each type and will help you decide on the best option for you.

Treatment Options

There are two general cell types for lung cancer: small cell, and non-small cell. Your treatment options are based on the type and stage of your lung cancer, existing health problems you may have, and your personal preference. Here is where getting a second opinion can be key.

The most common broad treatment options are:

  • surgery: an operation where a doctor removes cancer tissue
  • chemotherapy: special medicines are used to shrink or kill the cancer
  • radiation therapy: high-energy rays similar to X-rays are used kill the cancer
  • targeted therapy: drugs are used to block the growth and spread of cancer cells

In most cases, you can be treated with surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, or a combination of all these treatments if you have non-small cell lung cancer. If you have small cell lung cancer, your treatment options generally include radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

Seeking a Second Opinion

Your main goal should always be getting the best treatment possible for your diagnosis. A second opinion helps you do this. You can take any of your test results and have them looked at by another specialist.

Here are some of the specialists you may consult:

  • pulmonologist: specializes in diseases that affect the lungs
  • medical oncologist: treats cancer with medicines
  • radiation oncologist: focuses on treating cancer with radiation

Your doctor will likely refer you to a specialist. It’s not uncommon for several doctors to work together.

Get a second opinion from a top, independent oncologist with Opinion2

Getting a second medical opinion allows you to ask questions and determine how comfortable you feel with your treatment options. There are various cancer centers around the world. You may decide to seek a second opinion or treatment from a well-known specialist who is a highly recognized specialist in the lung cancer field, but is not located in your hometown.

There are also clinical trials going on that you may benefit from.

Understanding Your Options

Seeking another medical opinion should not affect your relationship with your regular medical provider if they’re focused on your health. Oftentimes, treating a very serious diagnosis, such as an advanced stage of lung cancer, requires a specialist. Your doctor can help you find one that’s right for you.

Contact your insurance company to get information about choosing providers and treatment facilities in or out of your network.

Lung cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer because it can be hard to detect in its early stages. You may not display any symptoms at first, allowing it time to spread to other parts of the body. This is why choosing the right treatment option is of the utmost importance. Getting a second opinion and working with your doctor will ensure that you have the best treatment plan.

Doctors’ opinions on treatment options can differ. However, they can help you understand the pros and cons associated with all of your treatment options, and guide you in making the right choice.