The lungs are the two organs located beneath the rib cage that provide life-sustaining oxygen throughout the body. They are neither symmetrical nor functionally identical, with the left lung consisting of two lobes and the right three lobes. Lung cancer begins when cells of a lung become abnormal and begin growing out of control. When the abnormal cancer cells grow, they can form into a tumor and even spread to other areas of the body (metastasize).
What to do if you were recently diagnosed with lung cancer.
If you or someone you know has recently been diagnosed with lung cancer, it’s important to gather and learn as much information about the disease as possible. The cancer care team at Compass Oncology has put together this guide to help patients who have been recently diagnosed with lung cancer and are preparing for their first appointment.
Compass Lung Cancer Specialists
The lung cancer specialists program offers personalized care for lung cancer patients with NSCLC and SCLC. We offer appointments at multiple locations and a team of professionals, including medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, palliative care, and more. Our team members at Compass Oncology are experienced in lung cancer care and are here to help guide you through your cancer care journey.
From Our Blog: More Information About Lung Cancer
Lung Cancer Types
Lung cancer is categorized into two types: Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) and Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). Both are named for the kinds of cells found in the cancer and how they appear when viewed under a microscope. NSCLC is more common than small cell lung cancer. Read more about the specific types of lung cancer.
Signs and Symptoms of Lung Cancer
Lung cancer can happen to anyone whether you are young, old, a smoker, or a non-smoker. While most lung cancers do not cause symptoms until the cancer has become advanced, that is not the case for everyone. Because of this, it is important to be aware of the signs of lung cancer.
Lung Cancer Diagnosis
If your doctor suspects you may have lung cancer several different tests are run to look for cancerous cells. If cancer is found, further testing is done to understand the extent of the cancer's growth. Learn more about the diagnostic lung cancer tests that are common for both non-small cell and small cell lung cancers.
Lung Cancer Treatment Options
Lung cancer treatments have become more advanced in the past decade with genomic testing available for non-small cell lung cancer. This means the treatments can be more specific to each patient's specific sub-type. Learn more about the treatments available for all types of lung cancer and how they work together to create a treatment plan that's customized to each patient.
Lung Cancer Clinical Trials
Compass Oncology is united with Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI), a joint venture with US Oncology Research and one of the world’s leading oncology research organizations conducting community-based clinical trials. At any given time, we have more than 70 active cancer clinical trials in the Portland, OR, and Vancouver, WA areas. Search for a clinical lung cancer trial that may be ideal for your type of lung cancer.
Lung Cancer Survivor Support
A person’s cancer journey extends beyond diagnosis and treatment. Many cancer survivors know they need a lot of support during cancer treatment, but once treatment ends it can be hard to transition to a new way of life. A survivor needs to adjust to new feelings, new problems, and different ways of looking at the world; this is why we’ve compiled a list of Lung Cancer Survivorship Resources in one convenient place.