Lung Cancer
While scare tactics are never a great way to present a topic, the fact is that lung cancer is far and away from the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women in the United States. And the statistics are still worrisome as 14% of newly diagnosed cancers are lung cancer. But there is hope with the right care. At Charleston Oncology, the team of oncologists and hematologists offer the latest, most effective treatment protocols to combat lung cancer. To learn more, call or fill out the online form for an appointment.
A Story From Our Patient
Sara Cox was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. She shares why she’s grateful she chose Charleston Oncology for her cancer care partner.
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Lung Cancer Q & A
What types of lung cancer are there?
Lung cancer mostly falls into two categories:
Non-small cell lung cancer
Approximately 85% of lung cancers fall under this heading. There are several subtypes of non-small cell lung cancer, including squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and large cell carcinoma.
Small cell lung cancer
This cancer accounts for about 15% of lung cancers and is an aggressive form of cancer that’s almost always due to smoking.
There’s a third type called a lung carcinoid tumor, which accounts for less than 5% of all lung cancers.
How is lung cancer diagnosed and staged?
Lung cancer primarily receives diagnosis through imaging, such as X-rays, at first. Typically, if your doctor sees a mass, they order more advanced imaging or send you to a specialist. And that’s where Charleston Oncology comes in. The group of oncologists has the experience and the equipment to zero in on the exact nature of your lung cancer.
For starters, the practice is equipped with a 16-slice CT scanner, which enables them to view the problem area from many different angles to determine the extent of involvement.
If warranted, your doctor may order a biopsy to examine your tissue to figure out which cells the cancer is affecting.
Once your doctor at Charleston Oncology identifies the subtype of lung cancer you’re dealing with, the stage of your cancer, which is essential in figuring out the next steps. Lung cancer is staged like all other cancers, from stage I to stage IV. The lower the number, the easier the cancer is to treat because it’s still localized.
How is lung cancer treated?
When it comes time to treat your lung cancer, your doctor at Charleston Oncology needs to consider many things before recommending a course of action, including:
- Type of lung cancer
- Stage of the cancer
- Your health
- Your goals
With these factors in mind, they recommend a protocol that works best for your unique situation, which may include:
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation
- Targeted drug therapies
- Immunotherapy
- Clinical trials
Often you may benefit from a combination of therapies for maximum effect.
If you’ve received a diagnosis of lung cancer, don’t wait to call Charleston Oncology.
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