CHAPTER 41:
LUNG CANCER RESOURCE SOURCES
41.0 RESEARCH INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW
Hopefully this book has provided some useful information about lung cancer. I
also hope that you have heeded some of the cautionary notes, recognizing that
new science is being created, some studies may have been missed and the precise
application of medical knowledge to a specific condition is for your doctor.
However, you may want to obtain some further information so that you can
understand the nature of your treatment and medical options.
41.1 GENERAL TEXTS
Some readers may have assimiliated a large amount of information while for many
others, a good general text can still be helpful. Informed Decisions (1997) from
the American Cancer Society is a good over all text. You may also want to use a
medical dictionary to understand basic concepts.
41.2 SPECIALIZED BOOKS DEALING WITH LUNG CANCER
Currently the best single volume on lung cancer is Pass’s book, Lung Cancer,
Principles and Practice (Lippincott Publishers). Published in 2001 and written
by some of the leading medical authorities around the world, this is the
authoritative work on lung cancer. Although it is intended for a medical
audience, many of the chapters are comprehensible for a patient or family member
reading slowly and equipped with a medical dictionary. (Unfortunately, the
beginning chapter launches into a tortured description of molecular biology).
The book provides the medical community’s view on accepted forms of treatment,
at least as of 2001. You may hear about new and unusual treatments from friends.
Check the index in Pass and see what is said. If a suggested treatment is not in
the book, you will know it is at best experimental and at worst, a fraud. The
only exception is that since the book was written in 2001, there may be some
treatment developments.
Devita, et. al., Cancer Principles and Practice of Oncology is the most
well-known general medical text on cancer. Comprising over 2500 pages with
contributions from the foremost scientists and oncologists throughout the world,
it is the book many medical professionals first consult. While pricey at $260,
many patients will find used copies at under $100.
41.3 MEDLINE RESEARCH
The premier search device for information about lung cancer and other medical
subjects is Medline. Medline is the search engine to use for specific
information about a new form of treatment or a particular area of medicine. The
service is free and available on the Internet.
The National Library of Medicine makes Medline available in various ways. First
you can go to the National Library of Medicine itself-www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez.
The site title is complicated; alternatively just use the search terms Medline
National Library of Medicine on Yahoo, Google, or other search engines. Some
companies which market to physicians have medline. Medscape.com has a good site.
A number of different companies offer free Medline courtesy of the National
Library of Medicine including www.medscape.com and www.healthgate.com. Medline
will give a list of medical abstracts of articles from the last 20 years. Here
is the description of Medline furnished by the National Library of Medicine.
● Medline is the National Library of Medicine's (NLM) premier bibliographic
database covering the fields of medicine, nursing, dentistry, veterinary
medicine, the health care system, and the preclinical sciences.
● It contains bibliographic citations (e.g., authors, title, and journal
reference) and author abstracts from over 3,900 biomedical journals published in
the United States and 70 foreign countries during the current four years and
contains over 9 million records dating back to 1966.
● It has worldwide coverage, but 88% of the citations in current MEDLINE are to
English-language sources and 76% have English abstracts.
● It contains the citations that appear in Index Medicus, as well as the
citations of “special list” journals. Special list journals include those
indexed for the Index to Dental Literature and the International Nursing Index.
Citations for MEDLINE are created by the National Library of Medicine,
International MEDLARS partners, and cooperating professional organizations.
● An English abstract, if published with the article, is included in MEDLINE.
● Approximately 33,000 new citations are added each month (about 7,300 weekly;
350,000 - 400,000 yearly).
41.31 Sample MEDLINE Record
Here is what a sample Medline record dealing with heart disease would look like:
TITLE: Screening for cardiac disease in patients having noncardiac surgery
[comment] [see comments]
AUTHOR: Fleisher LA; Eagle KA
AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore,
Maryland, USA.
SOURCE: Ann Intern Med 1996 Apr 15;124(8):767-72
CITATION IDS: PMID: 8633839 UI: 96213860
COMMENT: Comment on: Ann Intern Med 1996 Apr 15;124(8):763-6
ABSTRACT: The preoperative evaluation of the cardiac patient
having noncardiac surgery offers an opportunity to identify occult and further
define known cardiovascular disease to modify both perioperative and long-term
care. The baseline probability of cardiovascular disease should initially be
assessed using clinical variables and identifying unstable symptoms, including
unstable angina and congestive heart failure. The decision about whether to
obtain noninvasive testing to further define cardiovascular status should be
made on the basis of the testing's potential to modify perioperative care,...
41.4 MEDICAL JOURNALS AND MEDICAL ORGANIZATIONS DEALING WITH LUNG CANCER
You can obtain relevant medical articles through your Medline search. However,
you may wish to order or review the many medical journals which deal with
cancer. Recognize that some of the material may be technical, but you have the
opportunity to obtain detailed information on critical issues at your local
medical or hospital library. The International Association for the Study of Lung
Cancer prepares a journal called lung cancer which is published by Elsevier
Publishing Co. There are other journals which deal generally with lung cancer:
American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (from the American
Thoracic Society
Annals of Thoracic (chest) Surgery-
CA Cancer Journal for Clinicians (published by the American Cancer Society) A
peer-reviewed journal for physicians. An article which is peer-reviewed
generally will have greater credibility and impact than one which is not.
Cancer (also published by the American Cancer Society) (published detailed
information about cancer cause and treatments).
Cancer Control, Journal of the Moffit Cancer Center
41.5 ORGANIZATIONS DEALING WITH LUNG CANCER
Founded in 1972, International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC)
is an international organization of 1150 members in 53 countries. The purpose of
the Association is to promote the study of the etiology, the epidemiology, the
prevention, the diagnosis, the treatment, and all other aspects of lung cancer
and to disseminate information about lung cancer to the members of the
Association, to the medical community at large, and to the public. They publish
a journal devoted exclusively to lung cancer, which while somewhat technical in
nature, is worthwhile reading to learn about new developments in this area.
41.6 SUPPORT AND INFORMATION GROUPS
41.61 Alcase
A group called Alcase, (Alliance Against Lung Cancer) has been active in
promoting early detection programs, and increasing funding for lung cancer. They
have excellent materials and are accessible on the web.
41.62 American Cancer Online Resources Acor.org
This is an excellent online group where people exchange experiences about
cancer. Categorized by disease type and moderated by Lorraine Johnson, author of
an excellent book on lung cancer, the quality of information is usually far
better than on other internet sites. People discuss side effects from various
drugs, family issues, and how they have responded to new drugs. Search archives
for specific topics, post questions, or review other materials. While the site
is good, getting on can take a little time and knowledge. Ask for help if
needed.
41.63 Support for Caregivers
The Well Spouse Foundation, Care Pathways.com provide online support resources.
41.7 WEBSITES DEALING WITH LUNG CANCER
41.71 www.Lungcanceronline.org
The leading online site is www.lungcanceronline.org, a comprehensive site
written by a former patient.
41.72 Oncolink
This University of Pennsylvania site provides a comprehensive search tool for
locating information about cancer.
41.73 Acor.Org
Acor.org has four separate online support groups dealing with different types of
lung cancer. Beyond providing support, they are an excellent source of
information with Lorraine Johnson, author of a book on lung cancer, and the
creator of lungcanceronline serving as moderators.
41.8 PLACES TO GET BOOKS AND OTHER INFORMATION
Many hospitals and medical schools have detailed libraries which are open to the
general public for reading. Occasionally, you may need an introductory letter
from your local library to use another library. Generally you cannot take out
books from another library but your own library may be able to arrange to borrow
the book for you. Amazon.com, and Barnes & Noble.com have extensive lists of
books including those in specialized areas available for purchase.
REFERENCES
1. www.carepathways.com
2. www.wellspouse.org