Page 6 - NCCN Guidelines for Patients® | Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

6 NCCN Guidelines for Patients®: Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Version 1.2013
How to use this booklet
Who should read this booklet?
The information in this booklet is about cancer of the
non-small cells of the lung. About 85 out of 100 people
with lung cancer have non-small cell lung cancer. This
booklet may be helpful for patients, caregivers, family,
and friends dealing with this cancer. Reading this booklet
at home may help you absorb what your doctors have
said and prepare for treatment.
Does the whole booklet apply to me?
Part 1 reviews some basics about non-small cell lung
cancer that may help you understand the cancer better.
If you’re unsure if you should be tested for lung cancer,
read Part 2. The tests used to find lung cancer are
described in Part 3. Parts 4 through 8 have information
for people who have lung cancer. This information
covers many situations. Thus, you will likely not get
every test and treatment listed. Your treatment team
can point out what applies to you and give you more
information.
As you read through this booklet, you may find it helpful
to create a list of questions to ask your doctors. The
recommendations in this booklet include what the NCCN
doctors feel is the most useful based on science and
their experience. However, these recommendations
may not be right for you. Your doctors may suggest
other tests or treatments based on your medical history
and other factors. This booklet does not replace the
knowledge and recommendations of your doctors.
Help! I don’t know these words!
In this booklet, many medical words are included that
describe cancer, tests, and treatments. These are words
that you will likely hear your treatment team use in the
months and years ahead. Most of the information may
be new to you, and it may be a lot to learn. Don’t be
discouraged as you read. Keep reading and review
the information.
Words that you may not know are defined in the text
or the sidebar. Words with sidebar definitions are
underlined when first used on a page. All definitions are
listed in the Dictionary in Part 9. Acronyms are also listed
in the text or the sidebar. Acronyms are words formed
from the first letters of other words. One example is CT
for computed tomography.