Customized Treatment for Lung Cancer
The Skagit Regional Health Cancer Care Center is a regional destination for lung cancer patients in Skagit, Island and north Snohomish counties. We provide an individualized lung cancer treatment plan that is coordinated by board-certified physicians across many disciplines. No matter what your lung cancer type or stage, we treat every patient on an individualized basis, using a highly personalized approach that allows us to provide the best possible lung cancer treatment or lung cancer cure.
Understanding Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death around the world for men and women. It is estimated that in the United States, over 200,000 new cases of lung cancer are diagnosed each year.
Lung cancer occurs if cells in the lung begin to divide and grow abnormally and out of control, creating a mass or tumor and crowding out normal cells. These malignant (cancerous) cells have lost the behavior of normal cells, which die when they are damaged and have “boundaries” keeping them from spreading to the tissue that surrounds them. If left untreated, lung cancer can spread to other sites in the body.
The three main types of lung cancer include:
- Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
- Small Cell Lung Cancer
- Lung Carcinoid Tumor (neuroendocrine tumor)
The symptoms of lung cancer can be vague, and often mimic that of other conditions. Early stage lung cancer may be present long before any serious symptoms appear. Contact your primary care provider if you any of these symptoms that don’t go away:
- Persistent cough that continues to worsen
- Coughing up blood, rust colored phlegm
- Unintended weight loss
- Fatigue, feeling tired or weak
- Infections of the lung that won’t go away (pneumonia or bronchitis)
- Shortness of breath
- Hoarseness not related to a cold or cough
A comprehensive diagnostic work up of your lung cancer will help us to create a personalized approach, tailored to your treatment needs to ensure the best possible outcome.
Patient Navigator Guides You Through the Program
Patients diagnosed with lung cancer are guided by our Patient Navigator from consultation through treatment and into survivorship. Your navigator will help guide you through and around the cancer care system to ensure timely care, understanding diagnostic and treatment options and connect you with comprehensive support during your journey.
Your Patient Navigator will assist you with the following:
- Ensuring you have access to our entire team to provide support, education and financial assistance
- Finding answers to your questions and connecting you with reliable, accurate information about your disease
- Making sense of a complex healthcare system and ensuring your medical records are transferred in time to each physician
- Scheduling you with the right doctors at the right time
Multidisciplinary Team Approach to Lung Cancer Treatment
Research has shown that when the coordination of care between cancer specialists is optimized, it produces better outcomes and better patient experiences. Each lung cancer patient’s case is presented on at a weekly Cancer Conference and includes the following Board Certified specialists:
- Medical oncologists
- Pulmonologists
- Radiation oncologists
- Radiologists
- Surgical oncologists
- Thoracic surgeons
- Pathologists
- Palliative care specialists
Leading-Edge Treatments for Lung Cancer
Our comprehensive lung cancer treatment program offers a wide range of therapies, including chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy. In addition, we offer some of the most revolutionary techniques, such as radiofrequency ablation and minimally invasive/robotic surgery. We work closely across multidisciplinary partnerships for lung cancer treatment or surgery that has the potential to improve our patient’s cancer prognosis and quality of life.
Support for Patients with Lung Cancer
Throughout your diagnosis and esophageal cancer treatment we will help you focus solely on getting well. We are here to answer any questions about our wide range of support services, including:
- Appointments
- Finances
- Lodging
- Nutrition
- Prescriptions
- Social services
- Travel
Clinical Trials for Lung Cancer
Your medical team will review new and promising clinical trials that specifically treat lung cancer. If you meet the clinical trial criteria, your oncology provider will review the trial specifics with you to see if a clinical trial is the right option for you.
For More Information About Lung Cancer Services
If you have questions about our care, or to learn more about our lung cancer services or convenient locations, please contact one of our team members at the Skagit Regional Health Cancer Care Center at 360-814-2146.
For more information about lung cancer, visit these trusted sites:
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