Lung Cancer

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Lung cancer is a tumor (lump) in one or both lungs. The lungs are 2 hollow organs in your chest that stretch like a balloon when you breathe in. Normally, cells divide (split) only when needed. Cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow and divide without control or order, often making too much tissue which is called a tumor. Lung cancer often spreads to other parts of the body, such as the liver, bone, and brain.
  
  
• Common signs and symptoms of lung cancer include cough, breathing problems, weight loss, and chest pain. You may first need to have part or all of the tumor removed. This is called a biopsy. The tumor tissue is sent to the lab for tests to check for cancer cells. The test will also check for what kind of cancer you have. A test called sputum cytology (cell study) may also be used to diagnose lung cancer. You may have a bone scan or CT scan to learn if the cancer has spread in your body. You may need surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation to treat your lung cancer. The chances of curing lung cancer are better when it is found and treated early.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

RISKS:

• Treatment for lung cancer may cause unpleasant effects. You could get an infection or bleed too much if the cancer is removed with surgery. Chemotherapy can cause nausea, vomiting, hair loss, and diarrhea. You may get a blood clot in your leg or arm. This can cause pain and swelling, and it can stop blood from flowing where it needs to go in your body. The blood clot can break loose and travel to your lungs or brain. A blood clot in your lungs can cause chest pain and trouble breathing. A blood clot in your brain can cause a stroke. These problems can be life-threatening.
  
  
• Sometimes even with treatment, your cancer may spread or return. It is important to find out early if you have lung cancer since it can spread to other parts of the body. The earlier lung cancer is found and treated, the better are its chances of being cured. Call your caregiver if you are worried or have questions about your disease, care, or treatment.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Informed consent:

A consent form is a legal document that explains the tests, treatments, or procedures that you may need. Informed consent means you understand what will be done and can make decisions about what you want. You give your permission when you sign the consent form. You can have someone sign this form for you if you are not able to sign it. You have the right to understand your medical care in words you know. Before you sign the consent form, understand the risks and benefits of what will be done. Make sure all your questions are answered.

Activity:

• Activity: You may need to walk around the same day of surgery, or the day after. Movement will help prevent blood clots. You may also be given exercises to do in bed. Do not get out of bed on your own until your caregiver says you can. Talk to caregivers before you get up the first time. They may need to help you stand up safely. When you are able to get up on your own, sit or lie down right away if you feel weak or dizzy. Then press the call light button to let caregivers know you need help.
  
  
• Rest: Keep the head of your bed raised to help you breathe easier. You can also raise your head and shoulders up on pillows or rest in a reclining chair. If you feel short of breath, let caregivers know right away.

Blood tests:

You may need blood taken to give caregivers information about how your body is working. The blood may be taken from your hand, arm, or IV.

Chest x-ray:

This is a picture of your lungs and heart. Caregivers use it to see how your lungs and heart are doing. Caregivers may use the x-ray to look for signs of infection like pneumonia, or to look for collapsed lungs. Chest x-rays may show tumors, broken ribs, or fluid around the heart and lungs.

Medicines:

You may be given the following medicines:

• Antibiotics: This medicine is given to help treat or prevent an infection caused by bacteria.
  
  
• Antinausea medicine: This medicine may be given to calm your stomach and prevent vomiting.
  
  
• Pain medicine: Caregivers may give you medicine to take away or decrease your pain.
  
  
  • Do not wait until the pain is severe to ask for your medicine. Tell caregivers if your pain does not decrease. The medicine may not work as well at controlling your pain if you wait too long to take it.
    
    
  • Pain medicine can make you dizzy or sleepy. Prevent falls by calling a caregiver when you want to get out of bed or if you need help.

Oxygen:

You may need extra oxygen if your blood oxygen level is lower than it should be. You may get oxygen through a mask placed over your nose and mouth or through small tubes placed in your nostrils. Ask your caregiver before you take off the mask or oxygen tubing.

Tests:

You may first need to have a part or all of the tumor removed. This is called a biopsy. The tumor tissue is sent to the lab for tests to check for cancer cells. The test will also check what kind of cancer you have. A test called sputum cytology (cell study) may also be used to diagnose lung cancer. You may have one or more of the following tests:

• Bone scan: This is a test done to look at the bones in your body. The bone scan shows areas where your bone is diseased or damaged. You will get a radioactive liquid, called a tracer, through a vein in your arm. The tracer collects in your bones. Pictures will then be taken to look for problems. Examples of bone problems include fractures (breaks) and infection.
  
  
• Bronchoscopy: This is a procedure to look inside your airway and learn the cause of your airway or lung condition. A bronchoscope (thin tube with a light) is inserted into your mouth and moved down your throat to your airway. You may be given medicine to numb your throat and help you relax during the procedure. Tissue and fluid may be collected from your airway or lungs to be tested.
  
  
• Computerized axial tomography scan: This test is also called a CT or CAT scan. A special x-ray machine uses a computer to take pictures of a specific part of your body. It may look at your brain, bones, muscles, and blood vessels. You may be given dye through an IV before the pictures are taken so the body part shows up clearly. People who are allergic to iodine or shellfish (lobster, crab, or shrimp) may be allergic to some dyes. Tell your caregiver if you are allergic to shellfish, or have other allergies or health problems.
  
  
• Magnetic resonance imaging: This test is called an MRI and may be done to look at the brain, muscles, joints, bones, or blood vessels. You may have serious injury if you enter the MRI room with an oxygen tank, watch, or other metal objects. Tell your caregiver if you have any metal implants in your body.
  
  
• Positron emission tomography scan: This test is also called a PET scan. This scan traces the way your body cells act upon sugar.

Treatment options:

Treatment for lung cancer is based upon the type, size, and location of the tumor. You may have one or more of the following treatments:

• Surgery: Surgery to remove the tumor is the main lung cancer treatment. This is done on tumors that are small and have not spread to other parts of the body. If the tumor cannot be completely removed, surgery may be used to treat complications or to ease your symptoms.
  
  
• Chemotherapy:
  
  
  • This medicine, often called chemo, is used to treat cancer. It works by killing tumor cells. Chemotherapy may also be used to shrink lymph nodes that have cancer in them. Once the tumor is smaller, you may need surgery to cut out the rest of the cancer.
    
    
  • Many different chemotherapy medicines are used to treat cancer. You may need blood tests often. These blood tests show how your body is doing and how much chemotherapy is needed. Chemotherapy can have many side effects. Caregivers will watch you closely and will work with you to decrease side effects. Chemotherapy can cure some cancers. Even if the chemotherapy does not cure your cancer, it may help you feel better or live longer.
  
  
• Radiation: Radiation shrinks tumors and kills cancer cells with x-rays or gamma rays. Radiation may be given after surgery to kill cancer cells that were not removed. It may also be given alone or with chemotherapy to treat cancer.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Lung Cancer (Inpatient Care)