The Nursing Challenge for the Next Millennium Sandra Holley, MS, ARNP, AOCN Lung cancer continues to be the leading cause of cancer death for both men and women as we conclude this century. The diagnostic workup for lung cancer is usually extensive and may include chest radiograph, sputum cytology, computed tomography scans, bronchoscopy, lymph node biopsy, pulmonary function studies, liver function studies, and possibly bone marrow biopsy. The reason for identifying two distinct categories is related to cell characteristics and treatment choices.
Extensive stage is too widespread to be included within the definition of limited-stage disease.
Accurate staging of lung cancer is necessary to provide optimum treatment. Stages II-IV are treated with various combinations of cancer treatment modalities. Clinical trials with standard chemotherapy agents and new agents, variations of doses in current regimens, surgical resection plus radiation therapy plus chemo-therapy, and new radiation therapy schedules and timing are in progress. Nursing management considerations for the patient with lung cancer include surgical, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy nursing care. Many paraneoplastic syndromes can occur with lung cancer.