Lung Cancer Care
Rely on skilled providers with experience treating lung cancer at William R. Bliss Cancer Center. Our board-certified specialists recommend and provide a full range of treatment options.
Conditions We Treat
The main types of lung cancer are non-small cell lung cancers and small cell lung cancers. The treatment is different for each type of lung cancer.
Screening
CT scans are a painless and non-invasive way to look at the lungs for signs of cancer. If you’re a current or former smoker, you may benefit from aCT scan to screen for lung cancer.
Diagnosis
If you have symptoms of non-small cell lung cancer or small cell lung cancer, your doctor may request diagnostic tests, including:
- Biopsy to remove a small piece of tissue for further analysis
- Blood tests to help determine your overall health
- Genomic testing to determine the specific abnormalities of the tumor DNA
- Imaging tests, such as X-ray, MRI, CT scan, and positron emission tomography (PET) scans to visualize suspected tumors
Treatments
Meet with our cancer specialists to create your personalized care plan. Depending on your health and preferences, you may receive:
- Chemotherapy to prevent cancer cells from growing
- Immunotherapy or Biotherapy to boost or restore the immune system to fight cancer cells and to lessen side effects
- Targeted precision therapy to slow or stop the spread of cancer at the cellular level.
- Radiation therapy to stop cancer cells from multiplying and spreading
- Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) delivers one to five precise, highly focused radiation treatments to small tumors in the lungs
- Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for lung cancer that has metastasized to the brain gives no more than five doses of extremely precise, high levels of radiation using technology similar to CyberKnife® or Gamma Knife®
- Surgery to remove cancerous tissue
- Robotic Surgery,when possible, allows for smaller incisions and potentially less recovery time. Meet the only Iowa surgeon doing robot-assisted lung surgery, including lobectomies.
- Optune® devices, which use low-intensity electrical fields to stop the growth of glioblastoma (type of brain tumor) or malignant pleural mesothelioma (cancer in the lungs and ribs)
- Clinical Trials
Ask your doctor about clinical trials for lung cancer. You may get access to treatment that is not yet widely available.
Support Services
Talk to your nurse navigator about how you can improve your physical, mental, and emotional health with comprehensive support throughout your cancer journey.
