Understanding Lung Cancer

Work through what lung cancer is, how it is diagnosed and staged, treatment options, and how to live well during and after care.

11 stepsAbout 62 min total

This learning path is educational only. It is not a treatment plan. Your healthcare team can help you understand what applies to your situation.

Your progress

Read6 min
What is lung cancer?
The basics of lung cancer, explained simply.
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Signs and symptoms
Symptoms people notice and when to seek care.
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Lung cancer screening
Who screening is for and how it works.
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Imaging tests
Scans used to find and measure lung cancer.
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What a biopsy involves
How a sample confirms the diagnosis.
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Understanding staging
What stage means for lung cancer care.
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Treatment overview
Surgery, radiation, drug therapies, and more.
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Read6 min
Immunotherapy
How some lung cancers are treated with immunotherapy.
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Tool5 min
Questions to ask your team
Prepare questions for your oncology appointment.
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Clinical trials6 min
Lung cancer clinical trials
How trials fit into lung cancer research and care.
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Read6 min
Living well afterward
Follow-up care and everyday life after treatment.
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Helpful words to know

Plain-language definitions in our glossary.

Build a personalized list of questions to bring to your next appointment.

Read the source material at the National Cancer Institute (cancer.gov).