| Prognosis deals with predicting about the way a | | | | treatment is a long process with radiation or |
| disease spreads and its possible outcomes. Prognosis | | | | chemotherapy as part of treatment. Prognosis |
| includes chances of recovery from the disease too. | | | | continues to change at every stage of treatment. |
| These are two aspects for prognosis of any disease. | | | | Doctors generally inform their patient about possible |
| When a patient approaches a doctor with symptoms | | | | complications during course of treatment. They also |
| of lung cancer, the patient is advised to go through | | | | inform patients about treatment required for such |
| some tests to confirm detection. After analyzing the | | | | complications. Doctors also communicate the survival |
| test results, doctors are able to ascertain the stage | | | | chances to the patient if necessary. The severity of |
| to which cancer has reached. Every stage has a | | | | the disease and possible time frame for treatment |
| specified course of treatment. | | | | has to be considered by the patient. |
| There are many questions that come up during and | | | | Many of lung cancer centers have an in house |
| after the prognosis. The patient would first like to | | | | support groups to help patients cope up with the |
| know if the disease is curable. Cancer detected in | | | | disease. They also help them by counseling on their |
| early stages is usually curable. The third and fourth | | | | individual cases and explaining exact outcome of the |
| stage cancers are a major concern. If cancer has | | | | disease. |
| grown to other parts of the body it almost is | | | | It is advisable to remember that prognosis is just a |
| incurable. There is however a chance to increase life | | | | prediction and can change during the course of |
| expectancy, if detected in early stages. Doctors | | | | treatment. Doctors inform patients about the stage |
| informs their patient abut the stage cancer has | | | | and treatment of the disease to help them deal with |
| reached and whether it is life threatening. The | | | | it and be prepared for all eventualities. |