Lung Cancer
Overview
What is lung cancer
Lung cancer is broken out into two main subtypes, non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer. Typically, small cell lung cancer is less common in the United States. Non-small cell lung cancer is further classified by biomarkers that are present in some subtypes. The first classification of non-small cell lung cancer is by histology, or shape/origin of the cells. Non-small cell lung cancer is broken out into adenocarcinoma, large cell, and squamous cell lung cancer. Within the adenocarcinoma subpopulation, there are markers that can be tested for by your physician to help determine which treatments are most appropriate for your disease. These include, but aren’t limited to, EGFR (epithelial growth factor receptor), ALK (anaplastic lymphoma kinase), and ROS1 (receptor tyrosine kinase) mutations. More therapies are being developed to target unique types of lung cancer each day.
How common is lung cancer
There are estimated to be 222,500 lung cancer cases in the United States in 2017. The American Cancer Society cites that 85% are non-small cell lung cancer.1
Questions regarding your lung cancer therapy
You can reach the Accredo oncology care team, anytime, day or night, seven days a week.
24-hour Customer Service Center
1. https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/lungb.html
Symptoms
What are the symptoms of lung cancer
Signs and symptoms of lung cancer may include: shortness of breath, chest pain, wheezing, presence of a new persistent cough, coughing up blood, weight loss, loss of appetite, bone pain.
How is it diagnosed
Diagnosis of lung cancer may include imaging tests such as an x-ray or CT scan, but more definitively diagnosed using histological examination of the tissue from a biopsy.
Medications
Lung cancer
Accredo, a specialty pharmacy for lung cancer, dispenses specialty and non-specialty lung cancer medications including (but not limited to):
Drug | Manufacturer |
---|---|
Abraxane® (paclitaxel protein-bound particles for injectable suspension) | Celgene |
Afinitor® (everolimus) | Novartis |
Alecensa® (alectinib) | Genentech |
Avastin® (bevacizumab) | Genentech |
Cyramza® (ramucirumab) | Eli Lilly |
Gavreto™ (pralsetinib) | Genentech, Inc. |
Gilotrif® (afatinib) | Boehringer Ingelheim |
Hycamtin® (topotecan injection) | Novartis |
Hycamtin® Oral (topotecan) | Novartis |
Iressa® (gefitinib) | AstraZeneca |
Lorbrena® (lorlatinib) | Pfizer |
Lumakras™ (sotorasib) | Pfizer |
Mekinist® (trametinib) | Novartis |
Opdivo® (nivolumab) | BMS |
Portrazza® (necitumumab) | Lilly |
Rybrevant™ (amivantamab-vmjw) | Janssen |
Tafinlar® (dabrafenib) | Novartis |
Tagrisso® (osimertinib) | AstraZeneca |
Tarceva® (erlotinib) | Genentech |
Tecentriq® (atezolizumab) | Genentech |
Valchlor® (mechlorethamine) | Actelion |
Xalkori® (crizotinib) | Pfizer |
Vizimpro® (dacomitinib) | Pfizer |
Zykadia® (ceritinib) | Novartis |
Accredo also dispenses traditional chemotherapy medications as well as supportive care medications ordered by your prescriber that are not listed above.
Financing Your Care
Financial assistance coordination may be available to help with your medication costs, including manufacturer and community programs. Accredo representatives are available to help find a program that may work for you.
Financial Guidance
Life-saving specialty medication can be expensive. Learn how the Accredo teams help individuals find ways to afford the medication they need to survive in this video.
Find Support
There are many organizations that support research and advocacy for cancer. See below for a few of those organizations
Lung Cancer Organizations
- American Lung Association
- Lung Cancer Alliance
- Lung Cancer Foundation of America
- Lung Cancer Research Foundation
- Lungcancer.org
- Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation
- Free to Breathe
- LUNGevity.org
Cancer Support Organizations
- American Cancer Society
- American Society of Clinical Oncology
- Association of Cancer Online Resources
- Cancer Support Community
- Livestrong Foundation
- OncoLink
- National Foundation for Cancer Research
- Prevent Cancer Foundation
- Conquer Cancer Foundation
- Inspire.com
- CancerCare
- Cancer GRACE
- National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
- National Comprehensive Cancer Network
- Patient Advocate Foundation
Government Organizations
Meet the Team
Accredo’s oncology care team is dedicated to serving you and we understand the complexity of your condition. Our specialty-trained clinicians are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to answer any questions.
Why We Do It
Accredo supports patients with chronic and complex conditions and helps them live their best life. Watch our video to learn why we do what we do for our patients.