Lung Cancer Survivorship Clinic
A cancer survivor is anyone with cancer, from the time of diagnosis and treatment through the remaining years of life. You are finished with your active cancer treatment and moving to the next phase of your life and next phase of your care.
You may find that your life returns to what you knew before you had cancer. Or, you may find that physical, psychosocial or financial concerns continue because of earlier treatments. Patients often call this the new normal.
MD Anderson’s Lung Cancer Survivorship Clinic is here to help you develop a plan for your ongoing health care.
Moving Forward
Survivorship care helps to prevent, detect and treat side effects caused by cancer or its treatment. Through one of MD Anderson’s survivorship clinics, you will receive care based on guidelines that we have designed for survivors just like you. We will do the following:
- Review your recent medical history and perform a physical exam
- Do tests to find out if your cancer has come back or has continued to grow
- Diagnose and help you manage cancer and treatment side effects
- Create a treatment summary and follow-up care plan
- Provide information and referrals related to:
- Cancer screening exams
- Increased risk for other cancers
- Late effects from cancer treatment
- Healthy behaviors that lower cancer risk
- MD Anderson or community resources
Your survivorship team includes a cancer doctor (oncologist), mid-level provider, nurse, social worker, dietitian and a patient services coordinator (PSC). This team will work closely with other specialized doctors and nurses who have treated you at MD Anderson.
Side Effects and Symptoms
The survivorship clinic specializes in finding and treating late side effects that may appear months or years after treatment has ended. The physical changes will depend on your cancer type and treatment. Side effects, symptoms and changes you may experience, include:
- Breathing problems, such as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and a sense of breathlessness after mild exercise
- Fatigue
- Heart problems, such as shortness of breath and rapid heartbeat
- Neuropathy, a condition that causes numbness, tingling, burning, pinching, pain or not being able to feel hot or cold
Remember, it is important to communicate with your health care team through every stage in your cancer experience. It is also vital that you continue non-cancer check-ups and required screenings with your primary care doctor. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your health care team.
Referral
Contact your MD Anderson physician for referral to the Lung Cancer Survivorship Clinic.
Contact Us
Location: Main Building, Floor 9, near Elevator B Get Directions
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m.
Phone: 713-792-6110
Fax: 713-794-4716
Clinicians
- Stephen Swisher, M.D., Chairman
- Wayne Hofstetter, M.D.
- Reza Mehran, M.D., Associate Clinical Medical Director
- David Rice, M.D.
- Jack A. Roth, M.D.
- Ara Vaporciyan, M.D.
- Garrett Walsh, M.D.
- Vikki Devito, PA-C
- Guillermina Verdusco, FNP, MSN
- Fe Jularbal, FNP, MS
- Sharon Myers, PA
- Sandy Henke, ANP, MS
- Susan Knippel, FNP, MS
- Sherry Wright, ANP, MSN, AOCNP
- Cipriano Gonzalez, PA-C
MD Anderson Resources
Survivor Stories
Join the Discussion
Online Services
Take advantage of our online services, including myMDAnderson, the personalized site that helps you manage your cancer treatment:
- Appointment schedules
- Secure messaging with your care team
- Patient education, billing, and more