Lung Cancer

In accordance with Scott & White's Mission to provide personalized, comprehensive, high-quality healthcare enhanced by medical education and research, the Lung Cancer Treatment Clinic was formed to provide timely evaluation and care for patients diagnosed with lung cancer delivered by a team with a high level of expertise in the treatment of these patients.

Eligible Patients
Eligible patients are patients with a diagnosis of primary lung cancer. Patients with more advanced non-small cell lung cancer (stage IV) or those patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) are seen in the general Oncology Clinic by medical oncologists.

The Lung Cancer Team supports the Lung Cancer Treatment Clinic to ensure that each patient is evaluated in a timely manner to facilitate the care of those patients who may require combined therapy with surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. Potentially qualifying patients will also be screened for clinical trials that are available for lung cancer.

The Lung Cancer Treatment Clinic tailors the patient's treatment plan to his or her needs and allows each patient to meet one-on-one with the healthcare professionals involved in his or her treatment. The patient is considered one of the most important members of the Lung Cancer Team when it comes to their own care. Together, the patient and the Team determine the best treatment plan.

Our ultimate goal is to improve the survival of patients who are faced with lung cancer with compassion and special attention to their quality of life.

How to Make Referrals
Patients may be referred to the Lung Cancer Treatment Clinic through several sources. Referrals from Scott & White physicians may be made by calling the Lung Cancer Nurse Coordinator at 254-724-3675. Patients who have a diagnosis of lung cancer may also refer themselves to the clinic by contacting the nurse coordinator at 254-724-3675 to initiate the process.

When referred by a physician outside the Scott & White system, the request is made through the Physician Referral Office at 254-724-2218 or 1-800-792-3368. Experienced personnel determine whether a patient is being referred for a consultation and/or treatment of a newly diagnosed lung cancer and contact the nurse coordinator once the patient is registered into the system. The nurse coordinator will work with the patient and the physician to ensure that the appropriate medical information is available at the time of the appointment.

How the Lung Cancer Treatment Clinic Works

• The Lung Cancer Treatment Clinic is held on Monday each week. Patients who are seen in the Lung Cancer Treatment Clinic benefit from the skills of a multidisciplinary team of specialists who are experts in the treatment of lung cancer. Medical specialties involved, depending on the individual patient, could include pulmonary medicine, medical oncology, radiation oncology and/or thoracic surgery. In addition, patients meet with a financial counselor and a social worker. Cancer researchers may also be involved for those patients under consideration for participating in a clinical trial.
• Meeting with an experienced financial counselor allows the patient to ask questions regarding insurance and billing. This meeting can help put the patient's mind at ease as he/she makes important decisions about their care. The oncology social worker talks with the patient about a range of issues including social services and financial assistance options, as well as providing information about cancer support groups and other resources. A Scott & White chaplain is also available if requested by the patient.
• Scott & White's state-of-the-art care for the patient with lung cancer could involve physicians from more than one department. Depending on the patient's case, the patient could meet with a medical oncologist (doctors who give drugs to help fight cancer), a radiation oncologist (doctors who use radiation to help fight cancer) and/or a thoracic surgeon. At this time, a thorough medical history is taken and a complete physical exam is performed. Laboratory, radiology, and pathology results are reviewed and discussed with the patient. Possible treatment options, as well as expectations during and following treatment, including participation in clinical trials, are then discussed with the patient.
• Patients and their families are encouraged to visit the Center for Cancer Prevention and Care to explore the resources available to them to help deal with issues that may occur following a cancer diagnosis. Educational pamphlets, books, videos and tapes are available as well as designated computer stations to allow patients to access the internet to search for cancer information. Staff is available to answer questions and locate information for patients as well as providing general information regarding chemotherapy and healthy lifestyles.
• Following the patient's appointments with the appropriate specialists in the Lung Cancer Treatment Clinic, the patient's case is presented at the Lung Cancer Tumor Board (a meeting attended by the specialists) where a treatment plan, specifically tailored for that patient, is developed utilizing information obtained from the patient's visits in the Lung Cancer Treatment Clinic. The patient is also screened for possible participation in clinical trials.
• Following the Lung Cancer Tumor Board meeting, the proposed treatment plan is discussed with the patient by his/her physician. By this time, it is hoped that the patient has received adequate information from the participants in the Lung Cancer Treatment Clinic regarding the diagnosis and possible treatment to allow them to make an informed decision about their care.

Cancer Research
Scott & White participates in national research groups and industry-supported studies on new therapies. Many of the protocols offered at larger institutions are available at Scott & White, offering the patient the benefit of state-of-the-art care in a more patient friendly environment. If you are interested in information on clinical trials available for the treatment of lung cancer at Scott & White, please contact the Cancer Center at 254-724-1053 or 800-882-4366.

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