Lung Cancer Treatment Planning Tool

Use this tool to learn about lung cancer and different treatment options. At the end, download the Treatment Decision Making Worksheet to use in conversations with your doctors.

Main Type of Lung Cancer

Which type of lung cancer do you have? There are two main types of lung cancer: small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). A third less common type of lung cancer is called carcinoid, which is usually treated with surgery.

Learn more

1

Lung Cancer Type

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Results

Select which type of lung cancer you have.

Please select an option.

Small Cell Lung Cancer

Lung cancer staging means finding out the location and size of the tumor and where the lung cancer has spread. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) stages range from one to four (I through IV). The lower the lung cancer stage, the less the cancer has spread. Non-small cell lung cancer found before stage one is called occult and is usually just monitored closely to see if it grows. Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is described using two stages: limited and extensive. Limited stage SCLC has spread less than extensive. Learn more.

1

Type

2

Small Cell

3

Results

Select the stage of your lung cancer.

Please select an option.

Lung Cancer Staging

Lung cancer staging means finding out the location and size of the tumor and where the lung cancer has spread. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) stages range from one to four (I through IV). The lower the lung cancer stage, the less the cancer has spread. Non-small cell lung cancer found before stage one is called occult and is usually just monitored closely to see if it grows. Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is described using two stages: limited and extensive. Limited stage SCLC has spread less than extensive. Learn more.

1

Lung Cancer Type

2

Staging

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Results

Select the stage of your lung cancer.

Please select an option.

Stage 1 or 2

The subtypes of lung cancer are usually named for the different types of lung cells that make up the cancer. Each subtype is a little different and might influence your treatment options. Learn more

1

Lung Cancer Type

2

Staging

3

Subtype

4

Results

Select which subtype of lung cancer you have.

Please select an option.

Stage 3

The subtypes of lung cancer are usually named for the different types of lung cells that make up the cancer. Each subtype is a little different and might influence your treatment options. Learn more

1

Lung Cancer Type

2

Staging

3

Subtype

4

Results

Select which subtype of lung cancer you have.

Please select an option.

Stage 4

The subtypes of lung cancer are usually named for the different types of lung cells that make up the cancer. Each subtype is a little different and might influence your treatment options. Learn more

1

Lung Cancer Type

2

Staging

3

Subtype

4

...

5

Results

Select which subtype of lung cancer you have.

Please select an option.

Lung Cancer Biomarkers

Lung cancer biomarker testing—sometimes referred to as molecular, tumor or genomic testing—looks for changes (mutations) in the tumor's DNA. Some lung cancer treatments can "target" these mutations directly. This type of testing can also look for levels of certain proteins in your tumor, like PD-L1, which provides key information about how you might respond to immunotherapy. Ask your doctor about comprehensive biomarker testing. This looks for a large number of mutations and proteins in all the genes known to be associated with lung cancer, plus PD-L1 levels. Learn more

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Lung Cancer Type

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Staging

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Subtype

4

Biomarkers

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Results

Select if you have a biomarker with an FDA-approved targeted therapy, also called an "actionable" biomarker such as: EGFR, ALK, ROS1, MET, RET, NTRK or BRAF. If you aren’t sure, consult with your doctor to make sure this testing was done.

Please select an option.

PD-L1 Levels

PD-L1 is a protein expressed by cancer cells that keep the immune system from attacking the cancer. The PD-L1 levels in your tumor may help predict whether or not immunotherapy is right for you. Learn more

1

Lung Cancer Type

2

Staging

3

Subtype

4

PD-L1

5

Results

Select your PD-L1 levels. If you are unsure, consult with your doctor.

Please select an option.

PD-L1 Levels

PD-L1 is a protein expressed by cancer cells that keep the immune system from attacking the cancer. The PD-L1 levels in your tumor may help predict whether or not immunotherapy is right for you. Select your PD-L1 levels. If you are unsure, consult with your doctor. Learn more

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Lung Cancer Type

2

Staging

3

Subtype

4

PD-L1

5

Results

Select your PD-L1 levels. If you are unsure, consult with your doctor.

Please select an option.

Results

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Lung Cancer Type

2

Staging

3

Subtype

4

Results

Based on your selections, your doctor will likely recommend surgery to remove the tumor and/or radiation to shrink the tumor. Your doctor might recommend chemotherapy after surgery (called adjuvant chemo), depending on the size of your tumor and whether your cancer has spread to lymph nodes. Work with your doctor to complete this Treatment Decision Making Worksheet and Plan.

Results

1

Lung Cancer Type

2

Staging

3

Subtype

4

Results

Based on your selections, your doctor might recommend surgery, chemotherapy, and possible radiation if your cancer hasn't spread to too many lymph nodes. If you are not a candidate for surgery, your doctor may recommend chemotherapy and radiation therapy done at the same time (called chemoradiotherapy) followed by an immunotherapy drug.

If you have adenocarcinoma or large-cell carcinoma your doctor may want to test your tumor for certain biomarkers that are causing your tumor to grow. If you have one of these biomarkers, your doctor might recommend a clinical trial where you could receive a drug that directly targets these biomarkers.

You may receive other treatment options during the course of treating your cancer. It is also important to talk about how you can manage your symptoms and side effects through supportive care. Work with your doctor to complete this Treatment Decision Making Worksheet and Plan.

Results

1

Lung Cancer Type

2

Staging

3

Subtype

4

Biomarkers

5

Results

Based on your selections, your doctor will likely recommend a targeted therapy drug to treat your biomarker. You may receive other treatment options during the course of treating your cancer. If you have KRAS G12C, you may go on a targeted therapy after chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or a combination. It is also important to talk about how you can manage your symptoms and side effects through supportive care. Work with your doctor to complete this Treatment Decision Making Worksheet and Plan.

Results

1

Lung Cancer Type

2

Staging

3

Subtype

4

PD-L1

5

Results

Based on your selections, your doctor will likely recommend immunotherapy alone or in combination with chemotherapy. You may receive other treatment options during the course of treating your cancer. It is also important to talk about how you can manage your symptoms and side effects through supportive care. Work with your doctor to complete this Treatment Decision Making Worksheet and Plan.

Results

1

Lung Cancer Type

2

Staging

3

Subtype

4

PD-L1

5

Results

Based on your selections, your doctor will likely recommend immunotherapy alone or in combination with chemotherapy. You may receive other treatment options during the course of treating your cancer. It is also important to talk about how you can manage your symptoms and side effects through supportive care. Work with your doctor to complete this Treatment Decision Making Worksheet and Plan.

Results

1

Lung Cancer Type

2

Staging

3

Subtype

4

PD-L1

5

Results

Based on your selections, your doctor will likely recommend chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy. You may also receive other treatment options during the course of treating your cancer. It is also important to talk about how you can manage your symptoms and side effects. You may receive other treatment options during the course of treating your cancer. It is also important to talk about how you can manage your symptoms and side effects through supportive care. Work with your doctor to complete this Treatment Decision Making Worksheet and Plan.

Results

1

Lung Cancer Type

2

Staging

3

Subtype

4

PD-L1

5

Results

Based on your selections, your doctor will likely recommend chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy. You may also receive other treatment options during the course of treating your cancer. It is also important to talk about how you can manage your symptoms and side effects. You may receive other treatment options during the course of treating your cancer. It is also important to talk about how you can manage your symptoms and side effects through supportive care. Work with your doctor to complete this Treatment Decision Making Worksheet and Plan.

Results

1

Lung Cancer Type

2

Small Cell

3

Results

Based on your selections, your doctor will likely recommend chemotherapy and radiation, typically given at the same time (called chemoradiotherapy). You may receive other treatment options during the course of treating your cancer. It is also important to talk about how you can manage your symptoms and side effects through supportive care. Work with your doctor to complete this Treatment Decision Making Worksheet and Plan.

Results

1

Lung Cancer Type

2

Small Cell

3

Results

Based on your selections, your doctor will likely recommend chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy. You may receive other treatment options during the course of treating your cancer. It is also important to talk about how you can manage your symptoms and side effects through supportive care. Work with your doctor to complete this Treatment Decision Making Worksheet and Plan.

Page last updated: May 25, 2023

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