A lung cancer diagnosis can be physically, mentally, and emotionally draining. One thing you should never worry about is asking your doctor or treatment team questions. You may feel like questions running through your head should be common sense or might be assumed—but rest assured knowing that the only silly cancer question is the one that isn’t asked. Plus, there’s a good chance that others are wondering the same thing.

Our Patient Support Services team is shedding light on some common points of confusion and clarifying questions to ask at your next appointment.

I was told I have lung cancer; I didn’t know there are different types. What are the different types of lung cancer?

Yes, there are many different types of lung cancer. If you are unsure what type you have, ask your healthcare team and then contact GO2 for Lung Cancer to get more information about your type of lung cancer. Two of main types of lung cancer are non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). There are also many different sub-types of non-small cell lung cancer, the most common being adenocarcinoma and squamous.

My doctor told me I have a small tumor in my lung. Does that mean I have small cell lung cancer?

While the size of the cancer is important, it will not tell you what type of cancer you have. If you’ve had this same thought or question, you are not alone. Many people are so overwhelmed with information when they are diagnosed that they only hear certain words such as “you have a small” and they go on the internet to read about small cell lung cancer.

The size and location of the tumor tell the stage of the cancer, but the only way to know the type of lung cancer is with a biopsy. A biopsy is when a sample of the cancer is taken out and viewed under a microscope.

Why is my doctor waiting to start treatment until after I get my biomarker testing results back? Shouldn’t I be starting treatment right away?

While starting treatment quickly is important, making sure you are getting the best treatment for your unique diagnosis is just as important. Your oncologist needs your biomarker testing results to identify the best treatment for you and to determine how effective specific types of treatment like targeted therapies would be.

My doctor said I need surgery to remove my lung cancer. Am I going to need oxygen if I have part of lung removed?

Not necessarily. Many people who have part or all of their lung removed do not need oxygen after surgery. Depending on your overall health and the health of your lungs, you may only notice slight changes in your breathing. Your doctor will do lung function testing to decide if you are a candidate for surgery. Ask about the results of this testing and what the testing means for you. If you would like to connect with someone who has also had surgery on their lung for lung cancer, find peer-to-peer support through our Phone Buddy Program.

I heard some people can take a pill for lung cancer. Why isn’t my doctor giving me a pill?

A type of treatment called targeted therapies are used to treat lung cancer, and are usually in pill form. These therapies work to shut down a particular change in the cancer that is making it grow and spread. These changes (mutations, alterations, etc.) are found by testing the cancer for these “biomarkers.” GO2 for Lung Cancer recommends that everyone diagnosed with advanced non-small cell lung cancer have their cancer tested to see if there is a change for which there are targeted therapies to treat.

More of these changes are being found and more have targeted treatments than ever before. There are also clinical trials underway to find new treatments for other changes and for early stage lung cancer. Ask your doctor about biomarker testing and contact GO2 for Lung Cancer to learn more and to talk with a LungMATCH specialist about clinical trial options.

Remember: Knowledge is power and the more questions you ask, the more you know!