Lung Cancer Fact Sheet

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Answering your questions about Lung Cancer
No one deserves lung cancer.
The diagnosis of lung cancer brings many challenges, including physical and emotional
stresses. This diagnosis often carries concerns and worries for patients and carers. This
leafl et has been produced by Lung Foundation Australia, The Cancer Council and The
Asbestos Diseases Society.
We hope it will help answer some questions that you may have, and direct you to other
services which may help. It also provides a guide to questions to ask your doctor. Having
this information may make it easier to face some of the challenges of lung cancer.
What is Lung Cancer?
Lung cancer is made up of two main types, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small
cell lung cancer (SCLC), depending on how the cells appear under a microscope. Each type
behaves differently and is treated differently.
What stage is the cancer?
The doctor will want to know how far the disease has spread (stage of the cancer) to help
plan the best treatment. Tests are done to fi nd out if thecancer has spread and, if so, to
which parts of the body such as lymph glands, brain or bones. Tests may include: CT
scans, bone scans, brain scans, and PET scans.
What treatments are used?
Treatment depends on many things, including the type of lung cancer, where it is, how big it
is, whether it has spread, and the general health of the patient. Different types of treatments
or combinations may be used to control lung cancer and/or to improve quality of life by
reducing symptoms.
Surgery may be used to remove the cancer.
The type of surgery depends on where the cancer is in the lung. Some cancers cannot be
removed by surgery because of the size or location, and some patients cannot have surgery
for other medical reasons.
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy uses high-energy X-rays to kill cancer cells and is usually aimed at a limited
area. It can be used on its own or with surgery or chemotherapy. It can help relieve

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