Lung Cancer: A Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment »

Walter Scott, MD, is a board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon and associate professor of surgery and of preventive medicine and public health at Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska. He specializes in the surgical treatment of lung cancer.

Are You Receiving the Best Treatment for Lung Cancer?
 
If you’ve been diagnosed with lung cancer, you’re probably frightened. And, you probably have many questions. You’re wondering about prognosis and treatment. What will the treatments be like? Will you have side effects? But…are you asking whether or not you’re receiving the best treatment possible?
 
According to Walter Scott, M.D., it’s an important question to ask. Why? Because, despite advances in lung cancer treatment over the past few years, many lung cancer patients have not received the best treatment possible. Accordingly, Dr. Scott stresses the importance of patients educating themselves about the disease and its treatment so they can seek the best therapies available.
 
In Lung Cancer—A Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment, Dr. Scott discusses the most promising therapies for lung cancer, including the multimodality approach—a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Among the other topics he covers:
 
      •  Tests for early detection of lung cancer
      •  Staging the cancer and why it is so important
      •  Surgery, radiation, chemotherapy . . . how they kill cancer cells
      •  Alternative treatments . . . can they help?
      •  The importance of clinical trials
      •  Coping with emotions such as “smoker’s guilt”
 
A ValuableResource for Patients and Families

Library Journal

Written for patient and caregiver, this thorough and easy-to-read guide covers the basics of lung cancer and its management. Scott, a cardiothoracic surgeon specializing in lung cancer treatment, presents clinical information in a lucid and compassionate manner. This well-organized book capably guides the reader through a logical series of discussions, ranging from how the lungs work to end-of-life care. Treatments by disease type and stage (and the staging process itself) are smoothly explained. Another strong point is the appendix, which contains a concise list of chemotherapy agents and provides essential drug information, including brand and generic names. Although the text lacks a formal glossary, definitions of technical terms are skillfully woven into the context. Few consumer health titles are exclusively devoted to lung cancer, and this one should prove a valuable addition to consumer health and public library collections.--Gail Hendler, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Ctr., New York Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.\