National Cancer Institute

What You Need 

To Know About TM

Lung

Cancer

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH 

AND HUMAN SERVICES

National Institutes of Health

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND

HUMAN SERVICES

National Institutes of Health

National Cancer Institute

Contents

About This Booklet 1

The Lungs 2

Cancer Cells 3

Risk Factors 4

Screening 7

Symptoms 8

Diagnosis 8

Staging 12

Treatment 16

Second Opinion 24

Comfort Care 25

Nutrition 26

Follow-up Care 27

Sources of Support 28

The Promise of Cancer Research 30

Dictionary 32

National Cancer Institute Information Resources 43

National Cancer Institute Publications 44
About This Booklet

This National Cancer Institute (NCI) booklet is

about cancer* that begins in the lung. It tells about

diagnosis, staging, treatment, and comfort care.

Learning about the medical care for people with lung

cancer can help you take an active part in making

choices about your own care.

This booklet has lists of questions that you may

want to ask your doctor. Many people find it helpful to

take a list of questions to a doctor visit. To help

remember what your doctor says, you can take notes or

ask whether you may use a tape recorder. You may also

want to have a family member or friend with you when

you talk with the doctor—to take part in the discussion,

to take notes, or just to listen.

For the latest information about lung cancer, please

visit our Web site. The lung cancer section is at

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/lung. 

Or, contact our Cancer Information Service. We can

answer your questions about cancer. We can send you

NCI booklets and fact sheets. Call

1–800–4–CANCER (1–800–422–6237) or instant

message us through the LiveHelp service at

http://www.cancer.gov/help.

1

*Words in italics are in the Dictionary on page 32. The Dictionary

explains these terms. It also shows how to pronounce them.
The Lungs

Your lungs are a pair of large organs in your chest.

They are part of your respiratory system. Air enters

your body through your nose or mouth. It passes

through your windpipe (trachea) and through each

bronchus, and goes into your lungs.

When you breathe in, your lungs expand with air.

This is how your body gets oxygen.

When you breathe out, air goes out of your lungs.

This is how your body gets rid of carbon dioxide.

Your right lung has three parts (lobes). Your left

lung is smaller and has two lobes.

A thin tissue (the pleura) covers the lungs and lines

the inside of the chest. Between the two layers of the

pleura is a very small amount of fluid (pleural fluid).

Normally, this fluid does not build up.

2

This is a picture of the lungs and nearby tissues.

Windpipe

Right main

bronchus

Left main

bronchus

Lymph node

Lobes Lobes

Two layers of pleura

Diaphragm
Cancer Cells

Cancer begins in cells, the building blocks that make

up tissues. Tissues make up the organs of the body.

Normal, healthy cells grow and divide to form new

cells as the body needs them. When normal cells grow

old or get damaged, they die. New cells take their

place.

Sometimes, this orderly process goes wrong. New

cells form when the body does not need them, and old

or damaged cells do not die as they should. The buildup of extra cells often forms a mass of tissue called a

growth or tumor.

Tumor cells can be benign (not cancer) or malignant

(cancer). Benign tumor cells are usually not as harmful

as malignant tumor cells:

• Benign lung tumors

—are rarely a threat to life

—usually do not need to be removed

—do not invade the tissues around them

—do not spread to other parts of the body

• Malignant lung tumors

—may be a threat to life

—may grow back after being removed

—can invade nearby tissues and organs

—can spread to other parts of the body

Cancer cells spread by breaking away from the

original tumor. They enter blood vessels or lymph

vessels, which branch into all the tissues of the body.

The cancer cells attach to other organs and form new

tumors that may damage those organs. The spread of

cancer is called metastasis.

3
See the Staging section on page 12 for information

about lung cancer that has spread.

Risk Factors

Doctors cannot always explain why one person

develops lung cancer and another does not. However,

we do know that a person with certain risk factors may

be more likely than others to develop lung cancer. A

risk factor is something that may increase the chance

of developing a disease.

Studies have found the following risk factors for

lung cancer:

• Tobacco smoke: Tobacco smoke causes most cases

of lung cancer. It’s by far the most important risk

factor for lung cancer. Harmful substances in smoke

damage lung cells. That’s why smoking cigarettes,

pipes, or cigars can cause lung cancer and why

secondhand smoke can cause lung cancer in

nonsmokers. The more a person is exposed to

smoke, the greater the risk of lung cancer. For more

information, see the NCI fact sheets Quitting

Smoking and Secondhand Smoke. Page 44 tells how

to get NCI fact sheets.

• Radon: Radon is a radioactive gas that you cannot

see, smell, or taste. It forms in soil and rocks. People

who work in mines may be exposed to radon. In

some parts of the country, radon is found in houses.

Radon damages lung cells, and people exposed to

radon are at increased risk of lung cancer. The risk

of lung cancer from radon is even higher for

smokers. For more information, see the NCI fact

sheet Radon and Cancer.

4
• Asbestos and other substances: People who have

certain jobs (such as those who work in the

construction and chemical industries) have an

increased risk of lung cancer. Exposure to asbestos,

arsenic, chromium, nickel, soot, tar, and other

substances can cause lung cancer. The risk is highest

for those with years of exposure. The risk of lung

cancer from these substances is even higher for

smokers.

• Air pollution: Air pollution may slightly increase

the risk of lung cancer. The risk from air pollution is

higher for smokers.

• Family history of lung cancer: People with a

father, mother, brother, or sister who had lung

cancer may be at slightly increased risk of the

disease, even if they don’t smoke.

• Personal history of lung cancer: People who have

had lung cancer are at increased risk of developing a

second lung tumor.

• Age over 65: Most people are older than 65 years

when diagnosed with lung cancer.

Researchers have studied other possible risk factors.

For example, having certain lung diseases (such as

tuberculosis or bronchitis) for many years may

increase the risk of lung cancer. It’s not yet clear

whether having certain lung diseases is a risk factor for

lung cancer.

People who think they may be at risk for developing

lung cancer should talk to their doctor. The doctor may

be able to suggest ways to reduce their risk and can

plan an appropriate schedule for checkups. For people

who have been treated for lung cancer, it’s important to

have checkups after treatment. The lung tumor may

come back after treatment, or another lung tumor may

develop.

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6

How to Quit Smoking

Quitting is important for anyone who smokes

tobacco—even people who have smoked for

many years. For people who already have cancer,

quitting may reduce the chance of getting another

cancer. Quitting also can help cancer treatments

work better.

There are many ways to get help:

• Ask your doctor about medicine or nicotine

replacement therapy, such as a patch, gum,

lozenge, nasal spray, or inhaler. Your doctor

can suggest a number of treatments that help

people quit.

• Ask your doctor to help you find local

programs or trained professionals who help

people stop using tobacco.

• Call staff at NCI’s Smoking Quitline

(1–877–44U–QUIT) or instant message them

through LiveHelp (http://www.cancer.

gov/help). They can tell you about:

—ways to quit smoking

—groups that help smokers who want to quit

—NCI publications about quitting smoking

—how to take part in a study of methods to

help smokers quit

• Go online to Smokefree.gov

(http://www.smokefree.gov), a Federal

Government Web site. It offers a guide to

quitting smoking and a list of other resources.
Screening

Screening tests may help doctors find and treat

cancer early. They have been shown to be very helpful

in some cancers such as breast cancer. Currently, there

is no generally accepted screening test for lung cancer.

Several methods of detecting lung cancer have been

studied as possible screening tests. The methods under

study include tests of sputum (mucus brought up from

the lungs by coughing), chest x-rays, and spiral

(helical) CT scans. You can read more about these tests

in the Diagnosis section on page 8.

However, screening tests have risks. For example,

an abnormal x-ray result could lead to other procedures

(such as surgery to check for cancer cells), but a person

with an abnormal test result might not have lung

cancer. Studies so far have not shown that screening

tests lower the number of deaths from lung cancer. See

The Promise of Cancer Research section on page 30

for information about research studies of screening

tests for lung cancer.

You may want to talk with your doctor about your

own risk factors and the possible benefits and harms of

being screened for lung cancer. Like many other

medical decisions, the decision to be screened is a

personal one. Your decision may be easier after

learning the pros and cons of screening.

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Symptoms

Early lung cancer often does not cause symptoms.

But as the cancer grows, common symptoms may

include:

• a cough that gets worse or does not go away

• breathing trouble, such as shortness of breath

• constant chest pain

• coughing up blood

• a hoarse voice

• frequent lung infections, such as pneumonia

• feeling very tired all the time

• weight loss with no known cause

Most often these symptoms are not due to cancer.

Other health problems can cause some of these

symptoms. Anyone with such symptoms should see a

doctor to be diagnosed and treated as early as possible.

Diagnosis

If you have a symptom that suggests lung cancer,

your doctor must find out whether it’s from cancer or

something else. Your doctor may ask about your

personal and family medical history. Your doctor may

order blood tests, and you may have one or more of the

following tests:

• Physical exam: Your doctor checks for general

signs of health, listens to your breathing, and checks

for fluid in your lungs. Your doctor may feel for

swollen lymph nodes and a swollen liver.

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• Chest x-ray: X-ray pictures of your chest may show

tumors or abnormal fluid.

• CT scan: Doctors often use CT scans to take

pictures of tissue inside the chest. An x-ray machine

linked to a computer takes several pictures. For a

spiral CT scan, the CT scanner rotates around you

as you lie on a table. The table passes through the

center of the scanner. The pictures may show a

tumor, abnormal fluid, or swollen lymph nodes.

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10

Finding Lung Cancer Cells

The only sure way to know if lung cancer is present

is for a pathologist to check samples of cells or tissue.

The pathologist studies the sample under a microscope

and performs other tests. There are many ways to

collect samples.

Your doctor may order one or more of the following

tests to collect samples:

• Sputum cytology: Thick fluid (sputum) is coughed

up from the lungs. The lab checks samples of

sputum for cancer cells.

• Thoracentesis: The doctor uses a long needle to

remove fluid (pleural fluid) from the chest. The lab

checks the fluid for cancer cells.

• Bronchoscopy: The doctor inserts a thin, lighted

tube (a bronchoscope) through the nose or mouth

into the lung. This allows an exam of the lungs and

the air passages that lead to them. The doctor may

take a sample of cells with a needle, brush, or other

tool. The doctor also may wash the area with water

to collect cells in the water.

• Fine-needle aspiration: The doctor uses a thin

needle to remove tissue or fluid from the lung or

lymph node. Sometimes the doctor uses a CT scan or

other imaging method to guide the needle to a lung

tumor or lymph node.

• Thoracoscopy: The surgeon makes several small

incisions in your chest and back. The surgeon looks

at the lungs and nearby tissues with a thin, lighted

tube. If an abnormal area is seen, a biopsy to check

for cancer cells may be needed.
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• Thoracotomy: The surgeon opens the chest with a

long incision. Lymph nodes and other tissue may be

removed.

• Mediastinoscopy: The surgeon makes an incision at

the top of the breastbone. A thin, lighted tube is used

to see inside the chest. The surgeon may take tissue

and lymph node samples.

You may want to ask these questions before

the doctor takes a sample of tissue:

• Which procedure do you recommend? How

will the tissue be removed?

• Will I have to stay in the hospital? If so, for

how long?

• Will I have to do anything to prepare for it?

• How long will it take? Will I be awake? Will it

hurt?

• Are there any risks? What is the chance that

the procedure will make my lung collapse?

What are the chances of infection or bleeding

after the procedure?

• How long will it take me to recover?

• How soon will I know the results? Who will

explain them to me?

• If I do have cancer, who will talk to me about

next steps? When?
Types of Lung Cancer

The pathologist checks the sputum, pleural fluid,

tissue, or other samples for cancer cells. If cancer is

found, the pathologist reports the type. The types of

lung cancer are treated differently. The most common

types are named for how the lung cancer cells look

under a microscope:

• Small cell lung cancer: About 13 percent of lung

cancers are small cell lung cancers. This type tends

to spread quickly.

• Non-small cell lung cancer: Most lung cancers

(about 87 percent) are non-small cell lung cancers.

This type spreads more slowly than small cell lung

cancer.

Staging

To plan the best treatment, your doctor needs to

know the type of lung cancer and the extent (stage) of

the disease. Staging is a careful attempt to find out

whether the cancer has spread, and if so, to what parts

of the body. Lung cancer spreads most often to the

lymph nodes, brain, bones, liver, and adrenal glands.

When cancer spreads from its original place to

another part of the body, the new tumor has the same

kind of cancer cells and the same name as the original

cancer. For example, if lung cancer spreads to the liver,

the cancer cells in the liver are actually lung cancer

cells. The disease is metastatic lung cancer, not liver

cancer. For that reason, it’s treated as lung cancer, not

liver cancer. Doctors call the new tumor “distant” or

metastatic disease.

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Staging may involve blood tests and other tests:

• CT scan: CT scans may show cancer that has

spread to your liver, adrenal glands, brain, or other

organs. You may receive contrast material by mouth

and by injection into your arm or hand. The contrast

material helps these tissues show up more clearly. If

a tumor shows up on the CT scan, your doctor may

order a biopsy to look for lung cancer cells.

• Bone scan: A bone scan may show cancer that has

spread to your bones. You receive an injection of a

small amount of a radioactive substance. It travels

through your blood and collects in your bones. A

machine called a scanner detects and measures the

radiation. The scanner makes pictures of your bones

on a computer screen or on film.

• MRI: Your doctor may order MRI pictures of your

brain, bones, or other tissues. MRI uses a powerful

magnet linked to a computer. It makes detailed

pictures of tissue on a computer screen or film.

• PET scan: Your doctor uses a PET scan to find

cancer that has spread. You receive an injection of a

small amount of radioactive sugar. A machine makes

computerized pictures of the sugar being used by

cells in the body. Cancer cells use sugar faster than

normal cells, and areas with cancer look brighter on

the pictures.

Stages of Small Cell Lung Cancer

Doctors describe small cell lung cancer using two

stages:

• Limited stage: Cancer is found only in one lung

and its nearby tissues.

• Extensive stage: Cancer is found in tissues of the

chest outside of the lung in which it began. Or

cancer is found in distant organs.

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The treatment options are different for limited and

extensive stage small cell lung cancer. See the

Treatment section on page 16 for information about

treatment choices.

Stages of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Doctors describe non-small cell lung cancer based

on the size of the lung tumor and whether cancer has

spread to the lymph nodes or other tissues:

• Occult stage: Lung cancer cells are found in sputum

or in a sample of water collected during

bronchoscopy, but a tumor cannot be seen in the

lung.

• Stage 0: Cancer cells are found only in the

innermost lining of the lung. The tumor has not

grown through this lining. A Stage 0 tumor is also

called carcinoma in situ. The tumor is not an

invasive cancer.

• Stage IA: The lung tumor is an invasive cancer. It

has grown through the innermost lining of the lung

into deeper lung tissue. The tumor is no more than 3

centimeters across (less than 11/

4 inches). It is

surrounded by normal lung tissue and the tumor

does not invade the bronchus. Cancer cells are not

found in nearby lymph nodes.

• Stage IB: The tumor is larger or has grown deeper,

but cancer cells are not found in nearby lymph

nodes. The lung tumor is one of the following (see

page 2 for a picture of the main bronchus and

pleura):

—The tumor is more than 3 centimeters across.

—It has grown into the main bronchus.

—It has grown through the lung into the pleura.

• Stage IIA: The lung tumor is no more than 3

centimeters across. Cancer cells are found in nearby

lymph nodes.

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• Stage IIB: The tumor is one of the following:

—Cancer cells are not found in nearby lymph

nodes, but the tumor has invaded the chest wall,

diaphragm, pleura, main bronchus, or tissue that

surrounds the heart (see page 2 for a picture of

the diaphragm).

—Cancer cells are found in nearby lymph nodes,

and one of the following:

• The tumor is more than 3 centimeters across.

• It has grown into the main bronchus.

• It has grown through the lung into the pleura.

• Stage IIIA: The tumor may be any size. Cancer

cells are found in the lymph nodes near the lungs

and bronchi, and in the lymph nodes between the

lungs but on the same side of the chest as the lung

tumor.

• Stage IIIB: The tumor may be any size. Cancer

cells are found on the opposite side of the chest

from the lung tumor or in the neck. The tumor 

may have invaded nearby organs, such as the heart,

esophagus, or trachea. More than one malignant

growth may be found within the same lobe of 

the lung. The doctor may find cancer cells in the

pleural fluid.

• Stage IV: Malignant growths may be found in more

than one lobe of the same lung or in the other lung.

Or cancer cells may be found in other parts of the

body, such as the brain, adrenal gland, liver, or bone.

You can find pictures of the stages of lung cancer

and information about their treatment choices at

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/lung on

the NCI Web site. Or you can call the Cancer

Information Service at 1–800–4–CANCER.

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Treatment

Your doctor may refer you to a specialist who has

experience treating lung cancer, or you may ask for a

referral. You may have a team of specialists. Specialists

who treat lung cancer include thoracic (chest)

surgeons, thoracic surgical oncologists, medical

oncologists, and radiation oncologists. Your health care

team may also include a pulmonologist (a lung

specialist), a respiratory therapist, an oncology nurse,

and a registered dietitian.

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. See The Promise

of Cancer Research section on page 30.

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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Cancer treatment is either local therapy or systemic

therapy:

• Local therapy: Surgery and radiation therapy are

local therapies. They remove or destroy cancer in

the chest. When lung cancer has spread to other

parts of the body, local therapy may be used to

control the disease in those specific areas. For

example, lung cancer that spreads to the brain may

be controlled with radiation therapy to the head.

• Systemic therapy: Chemotherapy and targeted

therapy are systemic therapies. The drugs enter the

bloodstream and destroy or control cancer

throughout the body.

Your doctor can describe your treatment choices and

the expected results. You may want to know about side

effects and how treatment may change your normal

activities. Because cancer treatments often damage

healthy cells and tissues, side effects are common. Side

effects depend mainly on the type and extent of the

treatment. Side effects may not be the same for each

person, and they may change from one treatment

session to the next. Before treatment starts, your health

care team will explain possible side effects and suggest

ways to help you manage them.

You and your doctor can work together to develop a

treatment plan that meets your medical and personal

needs.

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18

You may want to ask your doctor these

questions before your treatment begins:

• What is the stage of my disease? Has the

cancer spread from the lung? If so, to where?

• What are my treatment choices? Which do you

recommend for me? Why?

• Will I have more than one kind of treatment?

• What are the expected benefits of each kind of

treatment?

• What are the risks and possible side effects of

each treatment? What can we do to control the

side effects?

• What can I do to prepare for treatment?

• Will I need to stay in the hospital? If so, for

how long?

• What is the treatment likely to cost? Will my

insurance cover the cost?

• How will treatment affect my normal

activities?

• Would a clinical trial be right for me?

• How often should I have checkups after

treatment?
Surgery

Surgery for lung cancer removes the tissue that

contains the tumor. The surgeon also removes nearby

lymph nodes.

The surgeon removes part or all of the lung:

• A small part of the lung (wedge resection or

segmentectomy): The surgeon removes the tumor

and a small part of the lung around the tumor.

• A lobe of the lung (lobectomy or sleeve lobectomy):

The surgeon removes the tumor and a lobe of the

lung. This is the most common surgery for lung

cancer.

• All of the lung (pneumonectomy): The surgeon

removes the entire lung.

After lung surgery, air and fluid collect in the chest.

A chest tube allows the fluid to drain. Also, a nurse or

respiratory therapist will teach you coughing and

breathing exercises. You’ll need to do the exercises

several times a day.

The time it takes to heal after surgery is different for

everyone. Your hospital stay may be a week or longer.

It may be several weeks before you return to normal

activities.

Medicine can help control your pain after surgery.

Before surgery, you should discuss the plan for pain

relief with your doctor or nurse. After surgery, your

doctor can adjust the plan if you need more pain relief.

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Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy (also called radiotherapy) uses

high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. It affects cells

only in the treated area.

You may receive external radiation. This is the most

common type of radiation therapy for lung cancer. The

radiation comes from a large machine outside your

body. Most people go to a hospital or clinic for

treatment. Treatments are usually 5 days a week for

several weeks.

Another type of radiation therapy is internal

radiation (brachytherapy). Internal radiation is seldom

used for people with lung cancer. The radiation comes

from a seed, wire, or another device put inside your

body.

The side effects depend mainly on the type of

radiation therapy, the dose of radiation, and the part of

your body that is treated. External radiation therapy to

the chest may harm the esophagus, causing problems

with swallowing. You may also feel very tired. In

addition, your skin in the treated area may become red,

dry, and tender. After internal radiation therapy, a

person may cough up small amounts of blood.

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You may want to ask your doctor these

questions before having surgery:

• What kind of surgery do you suggest for me?

• How will I feel after surgery?

• If I have pain, how will it be controlled?

• How long will I be in the hospital?

• Will I have any lasting side effects?

• When can I get back to my normal activities?
Your doctor can suggest ways to ease these

problems. You may find it helpful to read NCI’s

booklet Radiation Therapy and You. Page 44 tells how

to get NCI booklets.

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You may want to ask your doctor these

questions before having radiation therapy:

• Why do I need this treatment?

• What kind of radiation therapy do you suggest

for me?

• When will the treatments begin? When will

they end?

• How will I feel during treatment?

• How will we know if the radiation treatment is

working?

• Are there any lasting side effects?

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells. The

drugs enter the bloodstream and can affect cancer cells

all over the body.

Usually, more than one drug is given. Anticancer

drugs for lung cancer are usually given through a vein

(intravenous). Some anticancer drugs can be taken by

mouth.

Chemotherapy is given in cycles. You have a rest

period after each treatment period. The length of the

rest period and the number of cycles depend on the

anticancer drugs used.

You may have your treatment in a clinic, at the

doctor’s office, or at home. Some people may need to

stay in the hospital for treatment.
The side effects depend mainly on which drugs are

given and how much. The drugs can harm normal cells

that divide rapidly:

• Blood cells: When chemotherapy lowers your levels

of healthy blood cells, you’re more likely to get

infections, bruise or bleed easily, and feel very weak

and tired. Your health care team gives you blood

tests to check for low levels of blood cells. If the

levels are low, there are medicines that can help

your body make new blood cells.

• Cells in hair roots: Chemotherapy may cause 

hair loss. Your hair will grow back after treatment

ends, but it may be somewhat different in color 

and texture.

• Cells that line the digestive tract: Chemotherapy

can cause poor appetite, nausea and vomiting,

diarrhea, or mouth and lip sores. Ask your health

care team about treatments that help with these

problems.

Some drugs for lung cancer can cause hearing loss,

joint pain, and tingling or numbness in your hands and

feet. These side effects usually go away after treatment

ends.

When radiation therapy and chemotherapy are given

at the same time, the side effects may be worse.

You may find it helpful to read NCI’s booklet

Chemotherapy and You. Page 44 tells how to get NCI

booklets.

Targeted Therapy

Targeted therapy uses drugs to block the growth and

spread of cancer cells. The drugs enter the bloodstream

and can affect cancer cells all over the body. Some

people with non-small cell lung cancer that has spread

receive a targeted therapy. 

22
There are two kinds of targeted therapy for lung

cancer:

• One kind is given through a vein (intravenous) at

the doctor’s office, hospital, or clinic. It’s given at

the same time as chemotherapy. The side effects

may include bleeding, coughing up blood, a rash,

high blood pressure, abdominal pain, vomiting, or

diarrhea.

• Another kind of targeted therapy is taken by mouth.

It isn’t given with chemotherapy. The side effects

may include a rash, diarrhea, and shortness of breath.

During treatment, your health care team will watch

for signs of problems. Side effects usually go away

after treatment ends.

You may find it helpful to read the NCI fact sheet

Targeted Cancer Therapies. It tells about the types of

targeted therapies and how they work. Page 44 tells

how to get NCI fact sheets.

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You may want to ask your doctor these

questions before having chemotherapy or targeted

therapy:

• What drugs will I have? What are the expected

benefits?

• When will treatment start? When will it end?

How often will I have treatments?

• Where will I go for treatment?

• What can I do to take care of myself during

treatment?

• How will we know the treatment is working?

• What side effects should I tell you about? Can

I prevent or treat any of these side effects?

• Will there be lasting side effects?
Second Opinion

Before starting treatment, you might want a second

opinion about your diagnosis and treatment plan. Many

insurance companies cover a second opinion if you or

your doctor requests it.

It may take some time and effort to gather your

medical records and see another doctor. In most cases, a

brief delay in starting treatment will not make treatment

less effective. To make sure, you should discuss this

delay with your doctor. Sometimes people with lung

cancer need treatment right away. For example, a doctor

may advise a person with small cell lung cancer not to

delay treatment more than a week or two.

There are many ways to find a doctor for a second

opinion. You can ask your doctor, a local or state

medical society, a nearby hospital, or a medical school

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25

for names of specialists. Also, your nearest cancer

center can tell you about doctors who work there.

You may want to read NCI’s fact sheet How To Find

a Doctor or Treatment Facility If You Have Cancer.

Page 44 tells how to get NCI fact sheets.

Comfort Care

Lung cancer and its treatment can lead to other

health problems. You may need comfort care to prevent

or control these problems.

Comfort care is available both during and after

treatment. It can improve your quality of life.

Your health care team can tell you more about the

following problems and how to control them:

• Pain: Your doctor or a pain control specialist can

suggest ways to relieve or reduce pain. More

information about pain control can be found in the

NCI booklet Pain Control. Page 44 tells how to get

NCI booklets.

• Shortness of breath or trouble breathing: People

with lung cancer often have trouble breathing. Your

doctor may refer you to a lung specialist or

respiratory therapist. Some people are helped by

oxygen therapy, photodynamic therapy, laser

surgery, cryotherapy, or stents.

• Fluid in or around lungs: Advanced cancer can

cause fluid to collect in or around the lungs. The

fluid can make it hard to breathe. Your health care

team can remove fluid when it builds up. In some

cases, a procedure can be done that may prevent

fluid from building up again. Some people may need

chest tubes to drain the fluid.

• Pneumonia: You may have chest x-rays to check for

lung infections. Your doctor can treat infections.
• Cancer that spreads to the brain: Lung cancer can

spread to the brain. The symptoms may include

headache, seizures, trouble walking, and problems

with balance. Medicine to relieve swelling, radiation

therapy, or sometimes surgery can help.

People with small cell lung cancer may receive

radiation therapy to the brain to try to prevent brain

tumors from forming. This is called prophylactic

cranial irradiation.

• Cancer that spreads to the bone: Lung cancer that

spreads to the bone can be painful and can weaken

bones. You can ask for pain medicine, and the

doctor may suggest external radiation therapy. Your

doctor also may give you drugs to help lower your

risk of breaking a bone.

• Sadness and other feelings: It’s normal to feel sad,

anxious, or confused after a diagnosis of a serious

illness. Some people find it helpful to talk about

their feelings. See the Sources of Support section on

page 28 for more information.

You can get information about comfort care at

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/coping on NCI’s

Web site and from NCI’s Cancer Information Service

at 1–800–4–CANCER or LiveHelp

(http://www.cancer.gov/help).

Nutrition

It’s important for you to take care of yourself by

eating well. You need the right amount of calories to

maintain a good weight. You also need enough protein

to keep up your strength. Eating well may help you

feel better and have more energy.

26
Sometimes, especially during or soon after

treatment, you may not feel like eating. You may be

uncomfortable or tired. You may find that foods don’t

taste as good as they used to. In addition, the side

effects of treatment (such as poor appetite, nausea,

vomiting, or mouth sores) can make it hard to eat well. 

Your doctor, a registered dietitian, or another health

care provider can suggest ways to deal with these

problems. Also, the NCI booklet Eating Hints for

Cancer Patients has many useful ideas and recipes.

Page 44 tells how to get NCI booklets.

Follow-up Care

You’ll need regular checkups after treatment for

lung cancer. Even when there are no longer any signs

of cancer, the disease sometimes returns because

undetected cancer cells remained somewhere in your

body after treatment.

Checkups help ensure that any changes in your

health are noted and treated if needed. Checkups may

include a physical exam, blood tests, chest x-rays, CT

scans, and bronchoscopy.

If you have any health problems between checkups,

contact your doctor.

You may want to read the NCI booklet Facing

Forward Series: Life After Cancer Treatment. It

answers questions about follow-up care and other

concerns. Page 44 tells how to get NCI booklets.

27
28

Sources of Support

Learning you have lung cancer can change your life

and the lives of those close to you. These changes can

be hard to handle. It’s normal for you, your family, and

your friends to have many different and sometimes

confusing feelings.

You may worry about caring for your family,

keeping your job, or continuing daily activities.

Concerns about treatments and managing side effects,

hospital stays, and medical bills are also common. 

Because most people who get lung cancer were

smokers, you may feel like doctors and other people

assume that you are or were a smoker (even if you

weren’t). You may feel as though you’re responsible for

getting cancer (or that others blame you). It’s normal

for anyone coping with a serious illness to feel fear,

guilt, anger, or sadness. It may help to share your

feelings with family, friends, a member of your health

care team, or another person with cancer.

Here’s where you can go for support:

• Doctors, nurses, and other members of your health

care team can answer many of your questions.

• Social workers, counselors, or members of the clergy

can be helpful if you want to talk about your feelings

or concerns. Often, social workers can suggest

resources for financial aid, transportation, home care,

or emotional support.

• Support groups also can help. In these groups,

patients or their family members meet with other

patients or their families to share what they have

learned about coping with the disease and the effects

of treatment. Groups may offer support in person,

over the telephone, or on the Internet. You may want

to talk with a member of your health care team about

finding a support group.
29

• Information specialists at 1–800–4–CANCER and

at LiveHelp (http://www.cancer.gov/help) can help

you locate programs, services, and publications.

They can give you names of national organizations

that offer services to people with cancer and their

families.

For tips on coping, you may want to read the NCI

booklet Taking Time: Support for People With Cancer.

Page 44 tells how to get NCI booklets and fact sheets.
The Promise of Cancer Research

Doctors all over the country are conducting many

types of clinical trials (research studies in which people

volunteer to take part). 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.

• Prevention: NCI is sponsoring studies of substances

that may help prevent lung cancer. For example,

people with early non-small cell lung cancer are

taking selenium to learn whether it can help prevent

the growth of new lung tumors.

• Screening tests: Doctors are studying whether

screening tests can detect lung cancer early and

reduce a person’s chance of dying from it. NCI is

sponsoring large research studies of chest x-rays and

spiral CT scans for lung cancer screening. So far,

chest x-rays and spiral CT scans have not been

shown to reduce a person’s chance of dying from

lung cancer.

• Treatment: Researchers are studying many types of

treatment and their combinations. 

—Surgery: Surgeons are studying the removal of

less lung tissue and using internal radiation

therapy (brachytherapy) to kill cancer cells that

remain.

30
—Chemotherapy: Researchers are testing new

anticancer drugs and new combinations of drugs.

They’re also combining chemotherapy with

radiation therapy.

—Targeted therapy: Doctors are combining new

targeted therapies with chemotherapy and

radiation therapy.

—Radiation therapy: Researchers are studying

whether radiation therapy to the brain can prevent

brain tumors from forming among people with

non-small cell lung cancer.

If you’re interested in being part of a clinical trial,

talk with your doctor. People who join clinical trials

make an important contribution by helping doctors

learn more about lung cancer and how to control it.

Although clinical trials may pose some risks,

researchers do all they can to protect their patients.

NCI’s Web site includes a section on clinical trials at

http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials. It has general

information about clinical trials as well as detailed

information about current lung cancer studies.

Information specialists at 1–800–4–CANCER or at

LiveHelp at http://www.cancer.gov/help can answer

questions and provide information about clinical trials.

For information about taking part in treatment

studies, you may want to read the NCI booklet Taking

Part in Cancer Treatment Research Studies. Page 44

tells how to get NCI booklets.

31
Dictionary

Definitions of more than 4,000 terms are on the NCI

Web site in the NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms. You

can access it at http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary.

Adrenal gland (uh-DREE-nul): A small gland that

makes steroid hormones, adrenaline, and

noradrenaline. These hormones help control heart rate,

blood pressure, and other important body functions.

There are two adrenal glands, one on top of each

kidney. Also called suprarenal gland.

Asbestos (as-BES-tus): A natural material that is made

of tiny fibers. Asbestos can cause several serious

diseases, including cancer.

Benign (beh-NINE): Not cancerous. Benign tumors

may grow larger but do not spread to other parts of 

the body.

Biopsy (BY-op-see): The removal of cells or tissues for

examination by a pathologist. The pathologist may

study the tissue under a microscope or perform other

tests on the cells or tissue.

Brachytherapy (BRAY-kee-THAYR-uh-pee):

A procedure in which radioactive material sealed in

needles, seeds, wires, or catheters is placed directly

into or near a tumor. Also called internal radiation,

implant radiation, and interstitial radiation.

Bronchitis (bron-KYE-tis): Inflammation (swelling

and reddening) of the bronchi.

Bronchoscope (BRON-koh-SKOPE): A thin, tube-like

instrument used to examine the inside of the trachea,

bronchi (air passages that lead to the lungs), and lungs.

A bronchoscope has a light and a lens for viewing, and

may have a tool to remove tissue.

32
Bronchoscopy (bron-KOS-koh-pee): A procedure that

uses a bronchoscope to examine the inside of the

trachea, bronchi (air passages that lead to the lungs),

and lungs. A bronchoscope is a thin, tube-like

instrument with a light and a lens for viewing. It may

also have a tool to remove tissue to be checked under a

microscope for signs of disease. The bronchoscope is

inserted through the nose or mouth. Bronchoscopy may

be used to detect cancer or to perform some treatment

procedures.

Bronchus (BRON-kus): A large airway that leads from

the trachea (windpipe) to a lung. The plural of

bronchus is bronchi.

Cancer (KAN-ser): A term for diseases in which

abnormal cells divide without control. Cancer cells can

invade nearby tissues and can spread through the

bloodstream and lymphatic system to other parts of the

body.

Carbon dioxide (KAR-bun dy-OK-side): A colorless,

odorless gas. It is a waste product made by the body.

Carbon dioxide travels in the blood from the body’s

tissues to the lungs. Breathing out clears carbon

dioxide from the lungs.

Carcinoma in situ (KAR-sih-NOH-muh in SYE-too):

Cancer that involves only the cells in the tissue in

which it began and that has not spread to nearby

tissues.

Chemotherapy (KEE-moh-THAYR-uh-pee):

Treatment with drugs that kill cancer cells.

Clinical trial: A type of research study that tests how

well new medical approaches work in people. These

studies test new methods of screening, prevention,

diagnosis, or treatment of a disease. Also called a

clinical study.

33
Comfort care: Care given to improve the quality of life

of patients who have a serious or life-threatening

disease. The goal of comfort care is to prevent or treat

as early as possible the symptoms of the disease, side

effects caused by treatment of the disease, and

psychological, social, and spiritual problems related to

the disease or its treatment. Also called palliative care,

supportive care, and symptom management.

Contrast material: A dye or other substance that helps

show abnormal areas inside the body. It is given by

injection into a vein, by enema, or by mouth. Contrast

material may be used with x-rays, CT scans, MRI, or

other imaging tests.

Cryotherapy (KRY-oh-THAYR-uh-pee): Any method

that uses cold temperature to treat disease.

CT scan: Computed tomography scan. A series of

detailed pictures of areas inside the body taken from

different angles; the pictures are created by a computer

linked to an x-ray machine. Also called computerized

tomography and computerized axial tomography

(CAT) scan.

Diaphragm (DY-a-fram): The thin muscle below the

lungs and heart that separates the chest from the

abdomen.

Digestive tract (dy-JES-tiv): The organs through which

food and liquids pass when they are swallowed,

digested, and eliminated. These organs are the mouth,

esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, and

rectum and anus.

Esophagus (ee-SAH-fuh-gus): The muscular tube

through which food passes from the throat to the

stomach.

Fine-needle aspiration (as-per-AY-shun): The removal

of tissue or fluid with a needle for examination under a

microscope. Also called needle biopsy.

34
Incision (in-SIH-zhun): A cut made into the body to

perform surgery.

Infection: Invasion and multiplication of germs in the

body. Infections can occur in any part of the body and

can spread throughout the body. The germs may be

bacteria, viruses, yeast, or fungi. They can cause a

fever and other problems, depending on where the

infection occurs. When the body’s natural defense

system is strong, it can often fight the germs and

prevent infection. Some cancer treatments can weaken

the natural defense system.

Intravenous (IN-truh-VEE-nus): IV. Within a blood

vessel.

Invasive cancer (in-VAY-siv KAN-ser): Cancer that

has spread beyond the layer of tissue in which it

developed and is growing into surrounding healthy

tissues.

Laser surgery: A surgical procedure that uses the

cutting power of a laser beam to make bloodless cuts

in tissue or to remove a surface lesion such as a tumor.

Lobe: A section of an organ, such as the lung.

Lobectomy (loh-BEK-toh-mee): Surgery to remove a

whole lobe (section) of an organ (such as a lung, liver,

brain, or thyroid gland).

Local therapy (THAYR-uh-pee): Treatment that affects

cells in the tumor and the area close to it.

Lung: One of a pair of organs in the chest that supplies

the body with oxygen, and removes carbon dioxide

from the body.

Lymph node (limf node): A rounded mass of lymphatic

tissue that is surrounded by a capsule of connective

tissue. Lymph nodes filter lymph (lymphatic fluid), and

they store lymphocytes (white blood cells). They are

located along lymphatic vessels. Also called a lymph

gland.

35
Lymph vessel (limf): A thin tube that carries lymph

(lymphatic fluid) and white blood cells through the

lymphatic system. Also called lymphatic vessel.

Malignant (muh-LIG-nunt): Cancerous. Malignant

tumors can invade and destroy nearby tissue and

spread to other parts of the body.

Mediastinoscopy (MEE-dee-as-tih-NOS-koh-pee):

A procedure in which a mediastinoscope is used to

examine the organs in the area between the lungs and

nearby lymph nodes. A mediastinoscope is a thin, tubelike instrument with a light and a lens for viewing. It

may also have a tool to remove tissue to be checked

under a microscope for signs of disease. The

mediastinoscope is inserted into the chest through an

incision above the breastbone. This procedure is

usually done to get a tissue sample from the lymph

nodes on the right side of the chest.

Medical oncologist (MEH-dih-kul on-KAH-loh-jist):

A doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating

cancer using chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, and

biological therapy. A medical oncologist often is the

main health care provider for someone who has cancer.

A medical oncologist also gives supportive care and

may coordinate treatment given by other specialists.

Metastasis (meh-TAS-tuh-sis): The spread of cancer

from one part of the body to another. A tumor formed

by cells that have spread is called a “metastatic tumor”

or a “metastasis.” The metastatic tumor contains cells

that are like those in the original (primary) tumor. The

plural form of metastasis is metastases (meh-TAS-tuhSEEZ).

Metastatic (meh-tuh-STA-tik): Having to do with

metastasis, which is the spread of cancer from one part

of the body to another.

MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging (mag-NET-ik

REZ-oh-nans IM-uh-jing). A procedure in which radio

36
waves and a powerful magnet linked to a computer are

used to create detailed pictures of areas inside the

body. These pictures can show the difference between

normal and diseased tissue. MRI makes better images

of organs and soft tissue than other scanning

techniques, such as computed tomography (CT) or

x-ray. MRI is especially useful for imaging the brain,

the spine, the soft tissue of joints, and the inside of

bones. Also called nuclear magnetic resonance imaging

and NMRI.

Non-small cell lung cancer: A group of lung cancers

that are named for the kinds of cells found in the

cancer and how the cells look under a microscope. The

three main types of non-small cell lung cancer are

squamous cell carcinoma, large cell carcinoma, and

adenocarcinoma. Non-small cell lung cancer is the

most common kind of lung cancer.

Occult stage non-small cell lung cancer (uh-KULT):

Cancer cells are found in sputum (mucus coughed up

from the lungs), but no tumor can be found in the lung

by imaging or bronchoscopy, or the primary tumor is

too small to be assessed.

Oncology nurse (on-KAH-loh-jee): A nurse who

specializes in treating and caring for people who have

cancer.

Oxygen (OK-sih-jen): A colorless, odorless gas. It is

needed for animal and plant life. Oxygen that is

breathed in enters the blood from the lungs and travels

to the tissues.

Oxygen therapy (OK-sih-jen THAYR-uh-pee):

Treatment in which a storage tank of oxygen or a

machine called a compressor is used to give oxygen to

people with breathing problems. It may be given

through a nose tube, a mask, or a tent. The extra

oxygen is breathed in along with normal air. Also

called supplemental oxygen therapy.

37
Pathologist (puh-THAH-loh-jist): A doctor who

identifies diseases by studying cells and tissues under a

microscope.

PET scan: Positron emission tomography scan. A

procedure in which a small amount of radioactive

glucose (sugar) is injected into a vein, and a scanner is

used to make detailed, computerized pictures of areas

inside the body where the glucose is used. Because

cancer cells often use more glucose than normal cells,

the pictures can be used to find cancer cells in the

body.

Photodynamic therapy (FOH-toh-dy-NA-mik

THAYR-uh-pee): Treatment with drugs that become

active when exposed to light. These drugs kill cancer

cells.

Pleura (PLOOR-uh): A thin layer of tissue covering

the lungs and lining the interior wall of the chest

cavity. It protects and cushions the lungs. This tissue

secretes a small amount of fluid that acts as a lubricant,

allowing the lungs to move smoothly in the chest

cavity while breathing.

Pneumonectomy (NOO-moh-NEK-toh-mee): An

operation to remove an entire lung.

Pneumonia (noo-MONE-ya): An inflammatory

infection that occurs in the lung.

Prophylactic cranial irradiation (proh-fih-LAK-tik

KRAY-nee-ul ir-RAY-dee-AY-shun): Radiation therapy

to the head to reduce the risk that cancer will spread to

the brain.

Pulmonologist (PUL-muh-NAH-loh-jist): A doctor

who specializes in treating diseases of the lungs.

Radiation oncologist (RAY-dee-AY-shun on-KAHloh-jist): A doctor who specializes in using radiation to

treat cancer.

38
Radiation therapy (RAY-dee-AY-shun THAYR-uhpee): The use of high-energy radiation from x-rays,

gamma rays, neutrons, and other sources to kill cancer

cells and shrink tumors. Radiation may come from a

machine outside the body (external beam radiation

therapy), or it may come from radioactive material

placed in the body near cancer cells (internal radiation

therapy, implant radiation, or brachytherapy). Systemic

radiation therapy uses a radioactive substance, such as

a radiolabeled monoclonal antibody, that circulates

throughout the body. Also called radiotherapy.

Radioactive (RAY-dee-oh-AK-tiv): Giving off

radiation.

Registered dietitian (dy-eh-TIH-shun): A health

professional with special training in the use of diet and

nutrition to keep the body healthy. A registered

dietitian may help the medical team improve the

nutritional health of a patient.

Respiratory system (RES-pih-ruh-TOR-ee SIS-tem):

The organs that are involved in breathing. These

include the nose, throat, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and

lungs. Also called the respiratory tract.

Respiratory therapist (RES-pih-ruh-TOR-ee THAYRuh-pist): A health professional trained to evaluate and

treat people who have breathing problems or other lung

disorders.

Risk factor: Something that may increase the chance of

developing a disease. Some examples of risk factors

for cancer include age, a family history of certain

cancers, use of tobacco products, certain eating habits,

obesity, lack of exercise, exposure to radiation or other

cancer-causing agents, and certain genetic changes.

Segmentectomy (seg-men-TEK-toh-mee): Surgery 

to remove a section of tissue, organ, or gland. It may

be used to remove cancer and some healthy tissue

around it.

39
Selenium (suh-LEE-nee-um): A mineral that is needed

by the body to stay healthy. It is being studied in the

prevention and treatment of some types of cancer.

Selenium is a type of antioxidant.

Side effect: A problem that occurs when treatment

affects healthy tissues or organs. Some common side

effects of cancer treatment are fatigue, pain, nausea,

vomiting, decreased blood cell counts, hair loss, and

mouth sores.

Sleeve lobectomy (loh-BEK-toh-mee): Surgery in

which a lung tumor in a lobe of the lung and part of the

main bronchus (airway) are removed. The remaining

lobe or lobes are reattached to the bronchus. This

surgery is done to save part of the lung.

Small cell lung cancer: An aggressive (fast-growing)

cancer that forms in tissues of the lung and can spread

to other parts of the body. The cancer cells look small

and oval-shaped when looked at under a microscope.

Spiral CT scan: A detailed picture of areas inside the

body. The pictures are created by a computer linked to

an x-ray machine that scans the body in a spiral path.

Also called helical computed tomography.

Sputum (SPYOO-tum): Mucus and other matter

brought up from the lungs by coughing.

Sputum cytology (SPYOO-tum sy-TAH-loh-jee):

Examination under a microscope of cells found in

sputum (mucus and other matter brought up from the

lungs by coughing). The test checks for abnormal cells,

such as lung cancer cells.

Stage: The extent of a cancer in the body. Staging is

usually based on the size of the tumor, whether lymph

nodes contain cancer, and whether the cancer has

spread from the original site to other parts of the body.

40
Stent: A device placed in a body structure (such as a

blood vessel or the gastrointestinal tract) to keep the

structure open.

Surgery (SER-juh-ree): A procedure to remove or

repair a part of the body or to find out whether disease

is present. Also called an operation.

Systemic therapy (sis-TEH-mik THAYR-uh-pee):

Treatment using substances that travel through the

bloodstream, reaching and affecting cells all over the

body.

Targeted therapy (THAYR-uh-pee): A type of

treatment that uses drugs or other substances, such as

monoclonal antibodies, to identify and attack specific

cancer cells without harming normal cells.

Thoracentesis (THO-ruh-sen-TEE-sis): Removal of

fluid from the pleural cavity through a needle inserted

between the ribs.

Thoracic surgeon (thoh-RAH-sik SER-jun): A surgeon

who specializes in operating on organs inside the chest,

including the heart and lungs.

Thoracic surgical oncologist (thoh-RAH-sik SER-jihkul on-KAH-loh-jist): A surgeon who specializes in

operating on tumors found inside the chest.

Thoracoscopy (THOR-uh-KOS-koh-pee): Examination

of the inside of the chest, using a thoracoscope. A

thoracoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument with a light

and a lens for viewing. It may also have a tool to

remove tissue to be checked under a microscope for

signs of disease.

Thoracotomy (THOR-uh-KAH-toh-mee): An

operation to open the chest.

Trachea (TRAY-kee-uh): The airway that leads from

the larynx (voice box) to the bronchi (large airways

that lead to the lungs). Also called the windpipe.

41
Tuberculosis (too-BER-kyoo-LOH-sis): TB. A disease

caused by a specific type of bacteria that spreads from

one person to another through the air. Tuberculosis can

affect many parts of the body, but most often affects

the lungs. A person may not have symptoms of

tuberculosis for years, but they may appear when the

patient becomes ill with a serious condition like

diabetes, AIDS, or cancer. Tuberculosis can usually be

treated and cured with antibiotics.

Tumor (TOO-mer): An abnormal mass of tissue that

results when cells divide more than they should or do

not die when they should. Tumors may be benign (not

cancerous), or malignant (cancerous). Also called

neoplasm.

Wedge resection: A surgical procedure to remove a

triangle-shaped slice of tissue. It may be used to

remove a tumor and a small amount of normal tissue

around it.

X-ray: A type of high-energy radiation. In low doses,

x-rays are used to diagnose diseases by making

pictures of the inside of the body. In high doses, x-rays

are used to treat cancer.

42
National Cancer Institute Information

Resources

You may want more information for yourself, your

family, and your doctor. The following NCI services

are available to help you.

Telephone

NCI’s Cancer Information Service (CIS) provides

accurate, up-to-date information about cancer to

patients and their families, health professionals, and the

general public. Information specialists translate the

latest scientific information into plain language and

respond in English or Spanish. Calls to the CIS are

confidential and free.

Telephone: 1–800–4–CANCER (1–800–422–6237)

TTY: 1–800–332–8615

Internet

NCI’s Web site provides information from numerous

NCI sources. It offers current information about cancer

prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, genetics,

supportive care, and ongoing clinical trials. It has

information about NCI’s research programs, funding

opportunities, and cancer statistics.

Web site: http://www.cancer.gov

Spanish Web site: http://www.cancer.gov/espanol

If you are unable to find what you need on the Web

site, contact NCI staff. Use the online contact form at

http://www.cancer.gov/contact or send an email to

cancergovstaff@mail.nih.gov.

Also, information specialists provide live,

online assistance through LiveHelp at

http://www.cancer.gov/help.

43
National Cancer Institute Publications

NCI provides publications about cancer, including

the booklets and fact sheets mentioned in this booklet.

Many are available in both English and Spanish.

You may order them by telephone, on the Internet,

or by mail. You may also read them online and print

your own copy.

• By telephone: People in the United States and its

territories may order these and other NCI

publications by calling the NCI’s Cancer

Information Service at 1–800–4–CANCER.

• On the Internet: Many NCI publications may

be viewed, downloaded, and ordered from

http://www.cancer.gov/publications on the

Internet. People in the United States and its

territories may use this Web site to order printed

copies. This Web site also explains how people

outside the United States can mail or fax their

requests for NCI booklets.

• By mail: NCI publications may be ordered by

writing to the address below:

Publications Ordering Service

National Cancer Institute

Suite 3035A

6116 Executive Boulevard, MSC 8322

Bethesda, MD 20892–8322

Cancer Treatment

• Chemotherapy and You (also available in Spanish:

La quimioterapia y usted)

• Radiation Therapy and You (also available in

Spanish: La radioterapia y usted)

• Helping Yourself During Chemotherapy: 4 Steps for

Patients

44
• How To Find a Doctor or Treatment Facility If You

Have Cancer (also available in Spanish: Cómo

encontrar a un doctor o un establecimiento de

tratamiento si usted tiene cáncer)

• Targeted Cancer Therapies: Questions and Answers

• Photodynamic Therapy for Cancer: Questions and

Answers

Living With Cancer

• Eating Hints for Cancer Patients (also available in

Spanish: Consejos de alimentación para pacientes

con cáncer)

• Pain Control (also available in Spanish: Control del

dolor)

• Coping With Advanced Cancer

• Facing Forward Series: Life After Cancer Treatment

(also available in Spanish: Siga adelante: la vida

después del tratamiento del cáncer)

• Facing Forward Series: Ways You Can Make a

Difference in Cancer

• Taking Time: Support for People with Cancer

• When Cancer Returns

Clinical Trials

• Taking Part in Cancer Treatment Research Studies 

Complementary Medicine

• Thinking about Complementary & Alternative

Medicine: A guide for people with cancer

Risk Factors

• Secondhand Smoke: Questions and Answers

• Radon and Cancer: Questions and Answers

45
Quitting Smoking

• Clearing the Air: Quit Smoking Today

• You Can Quit Smoking

• Quitting Smoking: Why to Quit and How to Get

Help

• The Truth About “Light” Cigarettes

Caregivers

• When Someone You Love Is Being Treated for

Cancer: Support for Caregivers

• When Someone You Love Has Advanced Cancer:

Support for Caregivers

• Facing Forward: When Someone You Love Has

Completed Cancer Treatment

46
¿Necesita información en español?

Llame al Servicio de Información sobre el

Cáncer y hable en español con un especialista en

información. El número es 1–800–422–6237.

O visite el sitio de Internet del Instituto

Nacional del Cáncer en

http://www.cancer.gov/espanol. 

The National Cancer Institute

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is part of the

National Institutes of Health. NCI conducts and supports

basic and clinical research in the search for better ways to

prevent, diagnose, and treat cancer. NCI also supports 

the training of scientists and is responsible for

communicating its research findings to the medical

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NIH Publication No. 07–1553

Revised May 2007

Printed August 2007