Team Approach to Lung Cancer Care Is Essential

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The proper treatment of patients with lung cancer is dependent on a team approach, emphasizes Corey J. Langer, MD. Adequate sampling and testing requires collaboration between medical oncologists, surgeons, radiologists, and thoracic pathologists. Targeted therapies have also increased the involvement of other specialties, including interventional pulmonology and interventional radiology.

With the growing number of specialists involved in the treatment of patients with lung cancer, oncologist must make it clear which tests are needed to ensure that tissue is appropriately prepared and processed, Langer notes. Moreover, the role of nurses and other support staff remains an important piece of the care continuum, particularly for their role in the education of patients and side effect monitoring.