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"Localized" Lung Cancer Question My father-in-law has small cell lung cancer. When I asked the oncologist what stage it was, he told me it is localized. I am not sure what that means. Could you explain what a localized cancer is and what stage it is? Answer Anil Vachani,...
Age-Related Lung Cancer Risk Question At what age can you get lung cancer? Answer Barbara Campling, MD, Medical Oncologist, responds: The median age of diagnosis of lung cancer is in the mid 60's. This means that half of the people who get lung cancer are above this age and half...
Anxiety and Depression After Finishing Cancer Treatment Question Even though I finished treatment now, I still feel depressed and anxious. Is this normal? What can I do about it? I just can't stop thinking, what if this comes back? Answer Kava Schafer, MDiv, MA, Chaplain at Penn Medicine responds: I...
Blood Test to Detect Lung Cancer Question I recently saw a story on the news that a blood test can detect lung cancer early. Can you tell me more about this test? Answer Anil Vachani, MD, Pulmonologist at Penn Medicine, responds: Unlike other blood tests typically used to detect...
Can Stage 3B Lung Cancer Be Treated by Surgical Resection? I have a friend that was recently diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer. He has a tumor within the sac lining the right lung. He has been told that this type of tumor is non-surgical b/c it is within the sac around the lung and not in the...
Chemo and Radiation Given Together Question Why can’t I get my radiation while I am getting my chemo? Why do I have to wait until I finish chemo? Answer Susie Lee, CRNP, Nurse Practitioner with Penn Medicine’s Lung Cancer Team, responds: In some instances, and it may depend on...
Chemo Before or After Surgery Question When is it appropriate to get chemo before surgery versus after? Answer Suzanne Walker CRNP, MSN, AOCN, Nurse Practitioner for Thoracic Malignancies at Penn Medicine responds: Most people will receive their chemotherapy after surgery...
Chemotherapy Pills Versus Intravenous (IV) Question Why are some lung cancer patients able to take chemo pills, but I have to get it in my veins? Is one kind better than the other? Answer Suzanne Walker CRNP, MSN, AOCN, Nurse Practitioner for Thoracic Malignancies at Penn Medicine...
Controlling Pain in Cancer Question My mother had advanced lung cancer and is starting to have significant pain. She is very hesitant to take anything – she says she doesn't want to be an addict. I am pretty sure that is not a reasonable fear, but I am not expert. What are...
Coping With Co-Pays Question I am concerned about the cost of treatments. I have Medicare, but I am responsible for a 20% co-pay for every chemo infusion, not to mention other pills I take. What can I do? Answer Christina Bach, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, Oncology Social Worker...
Dealing with Fatigue QuestionI feel so exhausted from my treatments. What can I do to give myself more pep? Some say I should exercise, but won't I get short of breath, since after all, I have lung cancer? AnswerCharu Aggarwal, MD, MPH, Medical Oncologist at Penn...
Dealing With Life During the Stress of a New Diagnosis Question My sister was just diagnosed last week. It's like a whirlwind. Looking for ways to coordinate life for her (kids, house), manage appts. And just helping her through it all. Answer Linda Miller, RN, BSN, Oncology Nurse Navigator at Penn...
Depresión después de la cirugía del cáncer Question My father recently had a surgery for his lung cancer. The doctor said his cancer was Stage I. I have noticed that he has been quite depressed since the operation despite his doctor's assurance of a high cure rate for his cancer. Is...
Detecting Lung Cancer Early (Screening) Question I smoked a lot for a long time, but I quit 5 years ago. Is there anything I can do to prevent getting lung cancer or to increase my chances of getting it detected early? Answer Anil Vachani, MD, Pulmonologist at Penn Medicine, responds: A...
Difficulty Breathing With Lung Cancer Question I have done ok through my chemo so far. My most bothersome problem is feeling like I can't get my breath. Is there anything I can do to help that feeling? Answer Carolyn Vachani, RN, MSN, AOCN OncoLink Nurse Educator responds: It is...
Difficulty Swallowing During Radiation Question I have a hard time swallowing food since starting radiation. What would be some good foods for me that are nutritious and easy to eat? Answer Valaree Williams, MS, RD, LDN, Registered Dietician at Penn Medicine responds: Effects from...
Does celecoxib boost the efficiency of chemotherapy? Question I read an article recently online that reported that celecoxib (Celebrex), a drug for arthritis, could boost the efficiency of chemotherapy. Would you recommend taking this drug along with chemotherapy even though the effects are still be...
Draining Pleural Effusions at Home QuestionI have an effusion that keeps filling up, and I have been getting it drained every week at my doctor's office. They want me to have some type of catheter put in so it can be drained at home. That sounds risky – wouldn't I be more at...
Early Stage Lung Cancer Treatment Question I am a 49-yr-old white male in excellent health with a 35 pack-year history of smoking and a family history of lung cancer (father). I noticed blood in my sputum 5 weeks ago (the day I quit smoking). Three days later, I was told a CT scan...
Eating Well During Lung Cancer Treatment Question My son is being treated for lung cancer. He is surviving on crackers. I just want to help him eat to keep up his strength. What advice do you have to maybe improve his appetite or make foods that won't make him nauseous, hurt his sore...
Esophagitis during Lung Cancer Treatment Question My father was recently diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. He is undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy. He has started having severe pain in his esophagus and tried "magic mouthwash" unsuccessfully. Is there anything that can help...
Ex-smoker wants to decrease risk of lung cancer I smoked 1 pack of cigarettes between the ages of 17 and 26. I am now 37 years old, in good health with a good fitness regime. As an ex-smoker I am interested in my current risks of developing lung cancer and how I can continue to minimize those...
Fiberglass and Lung Cancer Risk Question I would like to know if there is a link between breathing in fiberglass particles and lung cancer? Also, is glass fiber-reinforced epoxy resin harmful? Where I work, these are used and the dust is freely dispersed into the air, causing some...
Flu Shot on Chemotherapy? Question I have lung cancer and am getting chemotherapy. Can/should I get a flu shot? Answer Susie Stonehouse-Lee, MSN, CRNP, Nurse Practitioner at Penn Medicine, responds: Patients receiving chemotherapy should receive a flu shot. Compromise to the...
Flu Shots for People on Cancer Treatment Question I recently finished my chemo after surgery. Wondering if I should have a flu shot or anything else preventive? Answer Suzanne Walker CRNP, MSN, AOCN, Nurse Practitioner for Thoracic Malignancies at Penn Medicine responds: It is usually...
Follow-up X-rays after Lung Resection Question I had a lung removed, and my cancer was staged as T2N0M0. My course of treatment is a CT scan every six months. I have read about other people with the same stage who are receiving a CT scan every three months. I am nervous about the...
Hospice Care and Trouble Breathing Question My husband was recently put on hospice. He already had a lot of trouble breathing; will this get worse as he gets sicker/closer to death? What can we do to help him? Answer Suzanne Walker CRNP, MSN, AOCN, Nurse Practitioner for Thoracic...
Hospice Consultation Question If I am followed by the palliative care team but I want to explore (and possibly go onto) hospice, can the palliative care team do that too? Answer Kava Schafer, MDiv, MA, Chaplain at Penn Medicine responds: If you are followed by the...
How Much Chemo is Given? Question How much chemotherapy can a person do. I know sometimes the treatment has to be done more than once. Thank you. Answer Susie Lee, CRNP, Nurse Practitioner with Penn Medicine’s Lung Cancer Team, responds: This depends on the type of...
How to Help Someone with Cancer Question What can I do to help my cousin who was just diagnosed with lung cancer? I feel I don't even know what to say to her, she is only 54 years old. Answer Carolyn Vachani, RN, MSN, AOCN OncoLink Nurse Educator responds: Please stay at the...
How to Respond to the Smoking Question? QuestionThere are so many support groups for women with breast cancer, but I am a woman with lung cancer. A generic support group just doesn't get it – I feel like they don't understand the way other people make you feel since I was a smoker...
If smoking kills, then why not ban it? Question Is there any real proof that smoking does kill? If it is so deadly, why isn't it banned? Answer Barbara Campling, MD, Medical Oncologist, responds: The evidence that smoking can kill comes from many sources, and the evidence is very strong...
Inoperable Lung Cancer Question My brother-in-law was recently diagnosed with lung cancer. It has already spread to his brain, and they have told him it is inoperable. Could you tell me exactly what this means? If there is no hope of curing it, why does he have to go...
Itching associated with lung cancer with liver metastasis Question My cousin has been diagnosed with lung cancer and now has liver cancer and cancer in her lymph nodes. She has severe itching and has these little scabby spots all over her body from itching. Can the itching be connected with the cancer?...
Loss of Appetite During Lung Cancer Treatment Question What should a lung cancer patient do if they are losing too much weight? How can they overcome a loss of appetite? Answer Ellen Sweeney, RD, Registered Dietitian, responds: Many lung cancer patients are noted to have lost weight prior to...
Low Sodium and Lung Cancer Question Is there a link between low sodium levels and adenocarcinoma of the lung? Answer Barbara Campling, MD, Medical Oncologist, responds: Patients with lung cancer can develop low sodium levels (hyponatremia) for the same reasons as other...
Lower Extremity Edema Question My mother was diagnosed three months ago with stage IV lung cancer with metastasis to the brain. She received radiation therapy for about 5 weeks and as of her last MRI, the tumors in both areas of the brain have shrunk. Her next MRI is...
Lung Cancer in Non-Smokers Question How did I get lung cancer if I never even smoked? Answer Anil Vachani, MD, Pulmonologist at Penn Medicine, responds: Approximately 15% of lung cancers occur in never smokers. The major risk factors among non-smokers are occupational...
Lung Cancer Recurrence Question During a routine x-ray for prostate surgery, my dad was found to have a lung mass in his lung left lower lobe. He had a PET scan that concluded it was cancer. While at his appointment with the surgeon, he discovered a carotid artery was...
Lung Cancer Screening I have learned from you site and others that lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths. Does it make sense to screen general population with chest x-ray or CT scan so that patients can be detected earlier and hopefully cured? ...
Lung Cancer Stages Question My Father-in-law was recently diagnosed with Stage IV Lung cancer. Could you tell me what that means? Answer Mitchell Machtay, MD, Radiation Oncologist, responds: The "stage" of a cancer indicates how advanced someone's cancer is. Early...
Lung Cancer Treatment Question My friend quit smoking and then later was diagnosed with lung cancer. She is in her early 40's and had 1/3 of her lung removed, but now the cancer has spread into several small tumors in different places. Due to her mother and younger sister...
Lung CT for Screening Question I heard it is better to get a CT scan rather than an x-ray of your chest. If you are at risk for lung cancer, is this true? If so, why does my family doctor say my insurance will not pay for it? Answer Taine Pechet, MD, Thoracic Surgeon at...
Maintenance Chemotherapy for Lung Cancer Question My sister's doctor told her she would be getting "maintenance chemo." Can you explain what that means? I have tried searching the web, but I cannot find anything about it. Answer Tracey Evans, MD, Medical Oncologist at Penn Medicine,...
Marijuana and cancer Question I am wondering if any cases of lung cancer (or other cancer) can result from smoking marijuana? Answer Barbara Campling, MD, Medical Oncologist, responds: Yes, there is evidence that marijuana smoking can cause cancer, in particular lung...
Marijuana Smoke and Cancer Risk Question Does smoking marijuana cause cancer? Answer Carolyn Vachani RN, MSN, AOCN, OncoLink's Nurse Educator, responds: This is an interesting question. There are a few things we know about marijuana smoke: It contains several of the same...
Minorities and Lung Cancer Question Is it true that African-Americans are more likely to develop lung cancer than other groups and also more likely to die from it? If so, why? Answer Chanita Highes-Halbert, PhD, Racial Disparities Expert, adds: Studies show that African...
Mixed Small Cell/Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Question My father was recently diagnosed with lung cancer, both small cell (limited stage) and non-small cell (Stage IIIA, T2N2M0). Apparently, it is rare to have both types of lung cancer at the same time. He is currently getting chemotherapy once...
Mutation to Guide Treatment in Lung Cancer Question The surgeon who did my biopsy said they will look for "mutation" and my treatment will depend on the result. What does this mean? Answer Linda Miller, RN, BSN, Oncology Nurse Navigator at Penn Medicine responds: Your physician is...
Nausea During Lung Cancer Treatment Question My mother has lung cancer and is receiving radiation therapy, but she cannot receive chemotherapy until she is healthy enough. She has not been able to eat even before the radiation therapy started, and the cancer has spread so they need to...
Navigating Care After a New Cancer Diagnosis Question What tips can you give a person with a new diagnosis on how to best navigate care, keep everything straight and go through treatment? Answer Linda Miller, RN, BSN, Oncology Nurse Navigator at Penn Medicine responds: You can look to see...
Neuropathy After Cancer Treatment Question I had chemo for lung cancer last year. I am doing well except that I have neuropathy in my feet from the chemo that makes it difficult to live life, work, etc. Are there any treatments/therapies that can help improve the neuropathy? I do...
Neuropathy Due to Chemotherapy Question I have neuropathy in my feet from my chemo. Is there anything to help with this? Answer Christina Bach, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, Oncology Social Worker at Penn Medicine, responds: Neuropathy can really impact quality of life during and after...
On Oxygen for Life After Lung Cancer? Question If I have lung cancer, will I have to be on oxygen for the rest of my life? Answer Anil Vachani, MD, Pulmonologist at Penn Medicine, responds: Most patients that are treated for lung cancer do not end up requiring supplemental oxygen....
Pain after Lobectomy Question After having my lower left lobe removed, I have had continuing pain in my left side below my breast in the rib area. I have been improving over the last four months, but the pain is still consuming my attempt at a positive attitude. My...
PET Scan in Lung Cancer Follow-up Question Can you address the use of PET scans for follow up after surgery? Answer Charles B. Simone II, MD, Radiation Oncologist at Penn Medicine, responds: There are no recommendations that are widely agreed upon for how to follow patients once they...
Pipe smoking and the risk of lung cancer Question My husband smokes a pipe, and he is always dismissing the risks of getting cancer. Despite the recent death of a fellow pipe collector, he insists cancer is relegated to cigarette smoking. I am hoping you can connect me with some solid...
Pleurodesis Question Do you know of a procedure call "pleurodesis"? Is it a complicated surgery? My father, who is 73 years old, has lung cancer but is weak. Would it be wise to do this surgery? Or would the risks of the procedure be too high in him? Would it...
Pleurodesis Question Is there such a thing as dusting a person's lungs to try to build a "dam" to prevent fluid from building up? Answer Carolyn Vachani RN, MSN, AOCN, OncoLink's Medical Correspondent, responds: The buildup of fluid in the lungs is called a...
Precautions After Splenectomy Question What do you do with a lung cancer patient who lost his spleen who is on chemo? Anything special? Answer Carolyn Vachani, RN, MSN, AOCN OncoLink Nurse Educator responds: We would treat someone with lung cancer and no spleen just like any...
Preventive Whole Brain Radiation Question My husband's doctor recommended whole brain radiation as a preventive treatment (he doesn't have tumor in his brain). What are the pros/cons to this? What about affect on memory, thinking, etc.? Answer Carolyn Vachani, RN, MSN, AOCN...
Prophylactic Cranial Irradiation (PCI) Question My doctor is suggesting I have radiation to my brain to prevent cancer from going there. Is that standard practice? Should I be concerned about the effects on my brain's function? Answer Charles B. Simone, II, MD, Radiation Oncologist at...
Prophylactic Cranial Irradiation PCI Long Term Effects Question My sister has gone through 5 cycles of chemo (1 more cycle to go) and 25 chest radiation therapy treatments. The doctor is suggesting PCI (10 treatments) when her chemo is finished. She has asked questions regarding long-term effects and...
Proton Therapy for Lung Cancer Question Is proton radiation used for lung cancer treatment? Will my insurance pay for it? Answer Charles B. Simone, II, MD, Radiation Oncologist at Penn Medicine, responds: Proton radiation therapy is a relatively newly utilized type of radiation...
Pulmonary Carcinoid Question I am looking for information on pulmonary carcinoid tumors. My brother has been diagnosed with this and we need information. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. Answer Li Liu, MD, Editorial Assistant for OncoLink, responds:...
Pulmonary Nodule on CT Question My wife was recently notified of the possibility of a "small malignancy" in the right upper lobe of her lung. The mass was categorized as a "subpleural, subcentimeter (8mm) pulmonary nodule" confirmed by a contrast CT scan. She is a smoker,...
Questioning Faith After Cancer Diagnosis Question Since my mother was diagnosed with lung cancer, I feel that my faith has been challenged. I feel angry and then guilty for feeling that way and for thinking what kind of God would make my mother be so sick. Can you help me? I feel I don't...
Quit Smoking Question I am a thirty-year-old woman who has smoked on and off for 10 years, with a 3-year break in between. I am a full-time student and worker, and I am currently a light smoker, but I realize I am relying on smoking for stress reduction (I also...
Quit Smoking Support Question How can I get help to quit smoking that actually works? How/where do I start? Answer Christina Bach, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, Oncology Social Worker at Penn Medicine, responds: Congratulations on wanting to quit smoking! That is a very...
Radon and Lung Cancer Risk Question How is exposure to radon linked to lung cancer? Answer Taine Pechet, MD, Thoracic Surgeon at Penn Medicine, responds: Radon is the 2nd leading cause of lung cancer in the United States according to the Surgeon General's report, distantly...
Reducing Secretions Related to Metastatic Lung Cancer Question What is the best way to reduce the copious secretions related to metastatic lung cancer? Answer James M. Metz, MD, Editor-in-Chief of OncoLink and Professor of Radiation Oncology at Penn Medicine, responds: The answer would depend on what...
Role of the Nurse Navigator in Cancer Treatment Question My cancer center has a nurse navigator. What can she do to help me get through treatment (stage III Non small cell lung cancer)? Answer Linda Miller, RN, BSN, Oncology Nurse Navigator at Penn Medicine responds: Each center functions a...
Secondhand Smoke and Lung Cancer Risk and Screening Question I am a 37-year-old female non-smoker. Although I have never smoked, both my father (at age 51) and paternal grandmother (at age 72) died of lung cancer and smoked heavily. I was exposed to years of second-hand smoke, as I lived in the same...
Side Effects of Pneumonectomy Question I had a lung removed this past October. My question is does removing a lung affect your ability to sing? I used to sing in church, but since just prior to the surgery I felt like there was a lump in my throat or that I strained my voice if I...
Side-effects After Lung Cancer Surgery Question What side effects will I experience after surgery to remove part of my lung? Answer Taine Pechet, MD, Thoracic Surgeon at Penn Medicine, responds: Side effects after surgery depend, among other things, on how much lung is removed, how the...
Small Cell Lung Cancer Question What is the difference between small cell and non-small cell lung cancer? Are they treated the same way? How do I know which one I have? Answer Charu Aggarwal, MD, MPH, Medical Oncologist at Penn Medicine, responds: Small cell cancer of...
Smoking after Lung Cancer Diagnosis Question Does stopping smoking and/or drinking significantly improve lung cancer outcome? If a patient stops smoking after diagnosis, does his/her prognosis improve? Does smoking or drinking interfere with any cancer treatments? If a patient is...
Smoking and Exposure after a Diagnosis of Lung Cancer Question My father was diagnosed with stage IIIB lung cancer and will be undergoing chemotherapy. He quit smoking about 3 years ago and so did his wife. There are other individuals in the household that smoke and feel it is all right to smoke in a...
Smoking Cessation after Diagnosis of Lung Cancer Question My question is about terminal lung Cancer. What are the benefits of smoking cessation if the patient is terminal? I am wondering if the stress of withdrawal will reduce their quality of life. If you know of any references that could help me...
Smoking with Recurrent Lung Cancer Question My father (53 years old) was diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer nearly a year ago. He responded to first-line treatment of chemotherapy and radiation therapy but his tumor recently began growing again. He is now receiving docetaxel....
Stage IV Lung Cancer Prognosis Question I would like to request assistance for my dad and me. He is under treatment for lung cancer, Stage IV, and the doctor said treatment will be chemotherapy delivered on one day, followed by another dose after 21 days. The doctor said there...
Supplements or Vitamins to Better Tolerate Chemo and Radiation Question Are there supplements or vitamins that can help me better tolerate radiation and chemo for lung cancer? Answer Valaree Williams, MS, RD, LDN, Registered Dietician at Penn Medicine responds: We often receive many questions about herbal,...
Support for Lung Cancer Patient Question How can I deal with a family member who has been told she has lung cancer? How can I help her and myself? Answer Barbara Campling, MD, Medical Oncologist, responds: One way to help would be to find out more about the type and stage of lung...
Support Groups for Lung Cancer Question There are so many support groups for women with breast cancer, but I am a woman with lung cancer. A generic support group just doesn't get it- I feel like they don't understand the way other people make you feel since I was a smoker (many...
Targeted Therapies for Adenocarcinoma of the Lungs Question What drugs are available that use molecular targeting for adenocarcinoma of the lungs? Answer Barbara Campling, MD, Medical Oncologist, responds: "Targeted therapies" are pharmaceutical agents that have been designed to target and inactivate...
The Role of the Chaplain in Cancer Treatment Question When I was in the hospital for lung cancer surgery and then with complications of treatment, I had a wonderful chaplain who provided me great support. I am glad to see a chaplain on your panel and would like to hear her thoughts on her role...
Treatment for Brain Metastasis Question My brother is 43 years old and had a non-small cell tumor removed from his lung. There was no follow-up treatment because they "got it all." Six months later, he was found to have a tumor in the brain that was thought to have spread there...
Treatment for Stage IV Lung Cancer Question Are there any treatments for a person with Stage IV lung cancer? Answer Charu Aggarwal, MD, MPH, Medical Oncologist at Penn Medicine, responds: There are several treatments for patients with late-stage or metastatic lung cancer. While...
Treatment Options for Advanced Lung Adenocarcinom Question My father is 57 years old and was recently diagnosed with an adenocarcinoma in both lungs (not operable) and cerebral brain metastasis. The oncologists consider the condition not surgically treatable, while the neurosurgeon considers the...
Treatments for Stage IV Adenocarcinoma of the Lung Question On October 2001, my dad was diagnosed with lung cancer (adenocarcinoma) Stage IV (brought on by asbestos contamination) with the tumor in his lung and liver. Last month, he finished 6 cycles of chemotherapy treatments (taxol and carboplatin)...
VATS Versus Open Surgery Question I had 2 surgery opinions – one would use !0VATS!1, the other would use a traditional open surgery. Are the two equal? I realize VATS may have fewer complications, but I wonder if that procedure compromises the treatment? Answer Taine...
What to Expect in End Stage Lung Cancer My mother has lung cancer for the last several years and now has brain cancer. She has undergone radiation treatment and is currently still getting chemo treatment for her lung cancer. Our family understands that she only has a little time left...
Why not radiate extensive stage lung cancer? Can radiation treatment be used on lung cancer? If so, to what dosage? To all areas of the lung? My father has small cell lung cancer that has responded well to chemotherapy. I'm wondering what would prevent treating his lung tumor with...
Why Quit Smoking After Diagnosis? Question If I already have lung cancer, why should I stop smoking now? Anil Vachani, MD, Pulmonologist at Penn Medicine adds: Even if you have been diagnosed with lung cancer, you should still try and quit smoking. There is evidence to suggest that...
X-Ray Screening for Lung Cancer Question My father died of lung cancer at 57 years old. He was a 3 pack a day smoker. I am now 52 years old and have been an on-again, off-again smoker (1 pack a day) for 30 years. I had quit once for 7 years and two other time for 1-2 years. I no...