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Lung Cancer Treatment

Depending upon the stage and type of lung cancer diagnosed, treatment may include surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation therapy. New treatments, that specifically target lung cancer are becoming available.
Clinical Trials - How to Find Clinical Trials for Lung Cancer Treatment
Finding clinical trials for lung cancer can offer options not otherwise available for treatment. Clinical trials -- also known as experimental treatments for lung cancer -- can be found in several databases as well as matching services.
Clinical Trials - Should I Participate in a Clinical Trial?
Is a clinical trial right for you? Do you know the risks and benefits of clinical trials? What questions should you ask about clinical trials? Weighing the risks and benefits and having a list of questions to ask can help you decide if a clinical trial is right for you.
Managing Common Side Effects of Radiation Therapy
Side effects of radiation therapy for lung cancer are common. Managing these side effects can ease some of the symptoms of radiation therapy. Tips for managing skin irritation, fatigue, difficulty swallowing and cough can lessen the the impact of these side effects of radiation therapy during your treatment.
Lung Cancer Treatments - Surgery for Lung Cancer
Surgery for lung cancer can often cure lung cancer in the early stages. Knowing the types of lung cancer surgery, risks involved in surgery, and what to expect before and after lung cancer surgery can help you discuss with your health care team if this is the best option for you.
Clinical Trials for Lung Cancer
What are clinical trials for lung cancer? What are the benefits? What are the risks? Are there different types or phases of clinical trials? How can I find a clinical trial near my home? Having an understanding of what clinical trials entail can help you decide whether an experimental new treatment may be something you wish to consider.
Types and Phases of Clinical Trials
When choosing a clinical trial it is important to be aware of types of trials. Is the trial designed to treat cancer, or to improve quality of life but without extending life? Trials are placed into phases that look at the safety and effectiveness of a drug or treatment from its first use in people to its approval by the FDA.
Side Effects of Radiation Therapy for Lung Cancer
Radiation therapy is frequently used with or without chemotherapy and surgery for the treatment of lung cancer. Short-term side effects such as skin irritation, fatigue, and inflammation of the esophagus can occur. Long-term side effects including radiation pneumonitis, pulmonary fibrosis, and secondary cancers should be discussed with your radiation oncologist.
Radiation Therapy for Lung Cancer
When is radiation therapy recommended for lung cancer? How is it given? What side effects does radiation therapy have? Are there different types of radiation therapy? Radiation therapy is used alone or along with chemotherapy or surgery for many people with lung cancer. Having a basic understanding of radiation therapy can help you play an active role in your treatment choices.
Complementary / Alternative Therapies for Lung Cancer
You may hear about alternative lung cancer treatments if you have been diagnosed with lung cancer. Yoga, meditation, acupuncture, massage -- all have been talked about as being able to help with lung cancer symptoms. While many of these have not been extensively studied, some are considered solid, alternative lung cancer treatments.
Common Side Effects of Chemotherapy
We have all heard about the side effects of chemotherapy: hair loss, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, low blood counts and mouth sores. Having an awareness of the common side effects experienced with chemotherapy, when to call your doctor and what to expect can help you work most effectively with your cancer care team. Tremendous strides with the management of chemotherapy side effects over the last several years has made chemotherapy more comfortable than in the past.
Chemotherapy for Lung Cancer
My doctor advised chemotherapy for my lung cancer. Why and how is chemotherapy given? Will I have side effects from chemotherapy? What are some of the medications used for lung cancer? Chemotherapy is used often during lung cancer treatment. It is often used as an adjunct, in addition to surgery, to prolong survival, and to improve the symptoms of lung cancer.
Treatment of Lung Cancer
Depending upon type and stage of your cancer, options may include a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Newer targeted therapies, clinical trials, and complimentary medicine offer additional approaches in treating lung cancer.
Targeted Therapies for Lung Cancer
Currently used primarily for stage 3 and 4 lung cancers, targeted therapies offer new treatment options for advanced lung cancer.
Dan's Story - Initial Treatment of Non Small Cell Lung Cancer
A friend's story about the intial stages of choosing treatment for non small cell lung cancer.
What is Complementary and Alternative Medicine?
After a diagnosis of lung cancer, many people turn to complementary or alternative treatments in addition to traditional methods of therapy. About.com's Alternative Medicine Guide, Cathy Wong, gives an overview of some of these alternative healing therapies.
Talking to Your Doctor About Complementary Alternative Medicine
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine offers tips on talking to your healthcare providers about complementary alternative medicine.
Step By Step Visualization
Visualization therapy is a common complementary therapy for those being treated for lung cancer. Visualization can instill a sense of calm and help with relaxation. Many cancer centers are adding complementary therapies such as visualization to their options for cancer patients.

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