Lung Cancer Questions and Answers from Bruce Gershenhorn, DO

Bruce Gershenhorn, MD, director of the Lung Center at suburban Chicago Hospital, took time off his schedule to answer your questions about lung cancer. Lung cancer is the second most common non-skin cancer in American men and women, and we know there are many questions about the disease, from how it develops to how it is treated.

Here we summarize some of the conversations that have taken place recently at cancer treatment centers in America. ^® (CTCA) Facebook Page.

P: Cancer is hereditary. How can I get checked? – Alexander

For: Lung cancer usually occurs due to environmental exposure and lifestyle habits, such as cigarette smoking. Lung cancer is rarely hereditary and there is currently no genetic test available to detect the disease. I recommend discussing your concerns with your doctor.

Q: How is renal cell carcinoma of the lungs treated? – Edna

L: Advanced cancers require a thorough evaluation by an oncologist and may benefit from a second opinion. Because of the many variables, it is difficult to make a definitive recommendation.

Chemotherapy

Q: After chemotherapy, when does my energy return? It’s been more than a year. – Terry

L: In general, energy levels return to nearly normal within a month or two after chemotherapy is completed. I recommend consulting your doctor to determine if other possible causes are involved and to help you manage your fatigue.

Q: After chemotherapy, when will my hair grow back? – Karen

L: Hair growth usually begins within a month after stopping chemotherapy.

Q: I am in remission! But they told me I had a very high risk of getting cancer again. Is it possible? – Gene

L: First, congratulations on your referral! Unfortunately, cancers can sometimes come back. I recommend that you follow up with your doctor. Close monitoring is recommended if the repetition rate is high.

Q: Can cancer cells survive in an alkaline body? – Suzy

L: The average body pH level is 7.4 and does not usually give way. The introduction of acidic or alkaline foods into the body cannot create a true alkaline state because the pH of the blood cannot be changed.

Metastatic renal cell carcinoma

P: How do you treat renal cell carcinoma that has spread to the lungs in a hilar mass? – Kai

L: There is no one-size-fits-all approach to cancer treatment. Much progress has been made in the management of kidney cancer, and a thorough evaluation of your condition is warranted before an appropriate recommendation can be made.

Q: What is the difference between small and non-small cells? – Chelsea

L: The origin of the cancer cell varies from one type to another. Small and non-small cell carcinomas most often begin in the lungs, but cell behavior, pattern of spread, and response to treatment can vary. Individual treatments should be considered and evaluated in depth so that a plan of care appropriate to your needs can be designed.

Q: What are your survival rates for small cell lung cancer? – Read

For: You can find more information about lung cancer survival statistics here. With new treatment options and the advent of immunotherapies, I hope the survival statistics will continue to improve dramatically in the future.

Q: Could losing your voice or not reaching higher pitches indicate lung problems? – there

L: Hoarseness is often associated with changes in vocal cord function. I would recommend an evaluation with an ear, nose and throat specialist.

Q: I plan to have a CT scan with my local hospital. They said it was a low dose. What is that? – Barbara

L: Low-dose CT lung cancer screening is now the standard of care for people 55 years of age or older, who have a 30-year smoking history and are current smokers, or who have recently quit. 15 years old. I’m a staunch advocate of lung cancer screening because studies show it reduces mortality by 20 percent.

The first signs of lung cancer

Q: What are the first signs of lung cancer? – Rita

For: Persistent cough, coughing up blood, shortness of breath, chest pain, and weight loss are common symptoms of lung cancer.

Q: I have a history of cancer in my parents and grandparents. Do I qualify for genetic cancer screening? – Patricia

For: Ideally, members of your family who have had cancers (breast, ovary, colon or endometriosis) should be screened for genetic predisposition syndromes. If they have one, it will be appropriate to take the test.

P: I’ve had stage 1 lung cancer, a lobectomy, and don’t have follow-up chemotherapy or radiation. Should I have had follow-up treatments? – Deborah

L: In general, we routinely follow up patients with stage I lung cancer with CT scans and clinical evaluations.

Does COPD mean I have lung cancer?

Q: I have COPD and have difficulty standing for more than 10 minutes. Could this be a sign of lung cancer? – Rita

For: I recommend an evaluation of your back pain with your primary care physician and regular follow-up with your pulmonologist for COPD.

Q: What causes glandular cancer? – Julia

L: In lung adenocarcinomas, the predominant risk factor is smoking.

This information is not intended or implied as a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about your treatment.