Lung Cancer Center
Welcome. We know a lung cancer diagnosis is overwhelming. At XpertPatient.com we provide unique tools & resources that help each patient achieve the best treatment results possible.
A personalized website experience will help you better understand your or your loved one’s lung cancer type & stage. Our unique side-by-side comparison of FDA-approved treatments will let you successfully partner with your Dr. to find the best treatment for you. Find payment help and more. Start now.
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What Is Lung Cancer and How Is It Diagnosed?
Lung cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably in the lungs. It is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. There are two main types of lung cancer: non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). The diagnosis of lung cancer typically involves a combination of imaging tests, blood tests, and biopsy procedures:
Chest X-ray – A chest X-ray is often the first imaging test used to identify abnormal masses or tumors in the lungs. Though not definitive, it can provide initial signs of lung cancer.
CT Scan (Computed Tomography) – A CT scan provides detailed, cross-sectional images of the lungs and can help detect tumors that may not be visible on a chest X-ray. It’s often used to evaluate the size and location of the tumor.
PET Scan (Positron Emission Tomography) – A PET scan helps detect areas of high metabolic activity, such as cancer cells, and can identify whether cancer has spread to other areas of the body.
Bronchoscopy – During a bronchoscopy, a thin tube with a camera is inserted into the lungs to allow doctors to visually examine the airways for signs of cancer. A biopsy can also be performed during this procedure.
Lung Cancer Biopsy – A lung biopsy involves taking a tissue sample from the suspected tumor for examination under a microscope to confirm the presence of cancer cells.
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Lung Cancer Diagnosis and Starting Treatment
Being diagnosed with lung cancer can be overwhelming. After confirming the type and stage of the cancer, treatment options are determined based on the specific diagnosis. Common treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapies. For patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC), treatment often includes chemotherapy and radiation.
It is important to discuss with your healthcare provider the potential benefits and risks of each treatment option. Connecting with lung cancer support groups such as the Lung Cancer Foundation of America (LCFA) can provide valuable resources, including emotional support and information on clinical trials.
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Lung Cancer Survival Rate
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Lung Cancer Survival Rate By Lung Cancer Stage
The 5-year survival rate for lung cancer varies significantly depending on the stage at diagnosis:
- Stage 0 Lung Cancer Survival Rate is approximately 50–70% (Local non-invasive cancer confined to the lungs, often treatable with surgical resection.)
- Stage 1 Lung Cancer Survival Rate is about 56–75% (The tumor is localized and may be effectively treated with surgery and/or radiation therapy.)
- Stage 2 Lung Cancer Survival Rate is around 30–60% (Cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes but remains potentially curable with combined treatments.)
- Stage 3 Lung Cancer Survival Rate is approximately 13–36% (Cancer has spread to nearby tissues and lymph nodes; treatment often includes chemotherapy, radiation, and possibly surgery.)
- Stage 4 Lung Cancer Survival Rate is about 5% (Metastatic lung cancer, where cancer has spread to distant organs; prognosis is poor, though newer therapies may improve outcomes.)
These survival rates are based on broad population data and may vary depending on the specific type of lung cancer (e.g., NSCLC vs. SCLC), molecular markers, and the patient’s overall health and treatment response.
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A Cancer Diagnosis Is A Rollercoaster
Coping with Cancer
Just as cancer affects your physical health, it can bring up a wide range of feelings you’re not used to dealing with or make existing feelings seem more intense. They may even change minute to minute. This is true whether you are going through a cancer treatment, between treatment cycles or done with your cancer treatment. These feelings are all normal.
Try to find ways to relax. Many people turn to friends, family, counselors or their faith to help them cope. Exercise and relaxation techniques as well. Each of us are very different so take some time and figure out what works for you.
My Treatment Team
My Treatment Team
- MEDICAL ONCOLOGIST: A doctor who has special training in diagnosing and treating cancer in adults using chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, biological therapy, and targeted therapy.
- SURGICAL ONCOLOGIST: Doctor who uses surgery to remove tumors.
- RADIATION ONCOLOGIST: Doctor who prescribes radiation therapy (beams of high-energy radiation, or radioactive seed implants) to shrink or eliminate tumors
- NURSE: Seen more then anyone, your nurses will provide medical care, answer questions, offer hope and suggest ways to talk with family and friends about your feelings.
- PATHOLOGIST: Doctor who has special training in identifying diseases by studying cells and tissues under a microscope.
- ONCOLOGY NURSE: Specializes in treating and caring for people who have cancer.
- PATIENT NAVIGATOR: Patient or health educators help you and your family learn more about your cancer by finding information that fits your needs
We Know You’re Tired but Keep Exercising!
Exercise Benefits Cancer Patients
Recent studies show evidence that exercise after a cancer diagnosis is associated with boosting your mood, helping you better cope with side effects and for some longer survival. Talk to your doctors about an exercise routine that is right for you even if its as simple as walking around your living room.
You can also take a look at the latest studies from the National Institute of Health here:
Kathryn Schmitz,
Ph.D., M.P.H.,
Penn State College
of Medicine
10 Must-Know Terms
10 Must-Know Terms
- BIOPSY: Removal & examination of cells or tissue to determine if you have cancer or the amount of cancer in your body.
- BIOMARKER TESTING: A way to look for genes, proteins, and/or substances that can provide information about your specific cancer. This testing will help you & your dr. choose the best cancer treatment for you.
- LOCALIZED CANCER: Your cancer is still only found “locally” or within the organ where the cancer began.
- METASTATIC CANCER: Your cancer has spread from the place where it started to other places in your body.
- RADIATION THERAPY: A treatment that uses high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors.
- CHEMOTHERAPY: A treatment that uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing.
- IMMUNOTHERAPY: A treatment that uses your own immune system to help the body fight cancer, infection, and other diseases.
- TARGETED THERAPY: A treatment that identifies and attacks specific types of cancer cells with less harm to normal cells then other treatments typically resulting in less side effects.
- INTRAVENOUS (IV): Most common type of infusion; used to put fluids, including cancer drugs directly into your bloodstream.
- SIDE EFFECTS: Secondary, typically undesirable, effects of a drug treatment affecting healthy tissues or organs
Who Can I Call With My Questions?
If you have any Cancer Diagnosis or Cancer Treatment related questions, you can call the National Cancer Institute’s Information Service Line to speak with a cancer specialist.
Service is available in English and Spanish – Call Mon – Fri, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. ET 1-800-422-6237 or click Here to CHAT Now.
Paying for Your Treatment
You are not alone. Most people with cancer have a hard time paying for treatment and everything else they need to pay for while they are going through treatment.
CancerCare makes it easy to find payment help for both treatment and the bills that show up every month such as rent, childcare, transportation, and even food if needed.
Please visit CancerCare today to find the resources you need.
Our Sponsors and Collaborators
XpertPatient’s mission to advance cancer patient education and empower newly diagnosed cancer patients has been made possible through the support and contribution of our sponsors and collaborators, including the following:
Sponsored content allows us to bring support to other patients like you.
Those new to cancer need to become “cancer smart” fast.
XpertPatient’s team is committed to helping those new to cancer understand their cancer diagnosis, the differences between their latest cancer treatment options as well as what questions to ask. All of our content has been curated and refined for easier understanding, collaboration and sharing.
The original source for all diagnosis-related content is Cancer.gov. The original source for all treatment-related content is the NCCN Guidelines. Preferred Category 1 and 2A treatment options can be compared.
An award-winning customer experience expert, 2x cancer caregiver and health innovator, Risa launched XpertPatient.com to better education & empower patients & caregivers early on in their cancer journey, something proven to drive better outcomes.
Everyone asks “how is XpertPatient different?” While all of the latest research shows that better-educated & involved patients experience less anxiety, less treatment side-effects; and ultimately achieve better outcomes*, more than 1/2 of them won’t feel confident having treatment option conversations with their doctors. At XpertPatient we are on a mission to change that. To build an army of active health consumers.
A dynamic visionary focused on innovative and high-impact responses to significant societal issues, Carolyn plays a critical role in identifying critical cancer education needs, trusted third party resources and gaps in patient and caregiver care needs many serving as the foundation for the unique services delivered by XpertPatient.com.
“XpertPatient provides a critical resource by delivering unbiased treatment information and discussion guides patients can use to have more substantive conversations with their care providers. Surfacing information needed to make informed decisions is a critical step to achieving the best possible outcomes.”
As a seasoned cancer patient navigator, Shari is a critical member of XpertPatient’s Customer Experience Team working to ensure the content and services we deliver reflect the most urgent needs of families on a cancer journey, both big and small and wherever possible offer personalized guidance that support patients receiving the best possible care.
“XpertPatient is a comprehensive website that provides easy to read materials on a variety of cancer diagnosis including treatment options, financial resources, and side effect management. The “Compare My Treatment Options Now” tool is a wonderful resource for patients to better understand their options and have more informed, educated discussions with their physicians.”
A seasoned medical oncologist with experience working in both community practice and hospital settings spanning 2 different countries, Dr. Leonora leads our medical content team to deliver complex cancer-related content into easy to understand terms that resonate with our broad range of site visitors.
As a core member of our Customer Experience team, Leonora ensures we are always delivering an experience that is up to date as new cancer treatments are approved, medically accurate & 100% patient-centric.
If an annoying cyst on my hand hadn’t interfered with my normal daily routine, I might not have discovered that I had late-stage lung cancer. What was even more frightening was when my oncologist told me that the 5-year survival rate was at most 15%.
Well, it’s only now, after more than 8 years since my diagnosis, that I’m able to relax a bit and just live my life including to help launch XpertPatient.com. Creating a truly patient-centric experience has been one of the most incredible things I’ve done since my diagnosis. Knowing that my insights and experience are helping other cancer survivors through their journey is definitely rewarding.
A skilled Hematology/Oncology Nurse Practitioner at a leading US Cancer Center, Stefania serves as XpertPatient’s medical lead for all blood cancer related cancer center content (e.g, Leukemia, Multiple Myeloma). Collaborating with the Experience Team, Stefania leads diagnosis and treatment content development, resource identification and video selection for new patients and caregivers.
“XpertPatient is a comprehensive website that provides easy to understand information about diagnosis and treatment. As a provider, what I most like about it is that it empowers patients to take ownership of their care by becoming well-informed and being an active member of their care team.”
Dr. Feiler brings the XpertPatient Experience Team expertise and insights having been both a seasoned medical professional that successfully managed the needs of a highly diverse patient and caregiver population and a cancer caregiver.
Her in-practice and personal experiences have helped to break down complex medical terms into simple, easy to understand content, central to the success of the XpertPatient.com experience.
As an on-going advisor, Dr. Feiler guides content direction and ensures accuracy of language.
As XpertPatient’s CRO, my goal is to identify sponsors looking for a game-changing partner to drive business growth while positively impacting those on a cancer journey. Throughout my career, I have been passionate about building digital health media platforms that elevate health literacy and empower individuals to take charge of their well-being.
With experience leading companies including Healthline & Health Media Network, I have transformed emerging organizations into market leaders, providing people on their health journeys with access to trusted information.
Today, there is no greater urgency than assisting families in navigating cancer. I am thrilled to be part of the XpertPatient leadership team and committed to our mission of making a meaningful impact every day.
As the Strategic Partnership & Content Strategy Lead for XpertPatient, I am responsible for delivering a game changing experience trusted by new patients & caregivers, 100% endorsed by advocacy and a strategic partner to oncology brands working to reach & engage hard to reach audiences.
Before joining XpertPatient, I was the interim CMO at ArmourUp for Life, a not-for-profit foundation that helps cancer patients in underserved communities, improve patient outcomes throughout their health and wellness journey. Using storytelling to amplify Loriana’s powerful voice for advocacy we launched “STAGE FREE,” a podcast for cancer survivors and caregivers.
From my perspective, XpertPatient represents an untapped opportunity for the industry and the community it serves. I couldn’t be more excited to be a part of this exciting brand.
Hear From Patients & Caregivers
Deb Bowler, Mom, Thriver, Stage 3 Lung Cancer Diagnosis.
Debra Bowler, Mom, Thriver. Stage 3 Lung Cancer: “XpertPatient takes that fear of the unknown away and explains things in simple language, exactly what you have, your treatment options, and what you can expect.”
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