The 10 deadliest cancers, and why there's no cure
When Lung Cancer Comes Back
Sometimes, lung cancer comes back after you've had treatment. This is called a recurrence.
It can happen at any time or not at all. But lung cancer is most likely to return within 5 years after you were diagnosed.
After treatment, some tiny cancer cells may stay in your body. Over time, these cells may divide and grow into a cancer again.
Your lung cancer may come back in your lungs. Or it may return in a different part of your body. There are three types of cancer recurrence:
The symptoms of a lung cancer recurrence depend on where it comes back. If it's in your lungs, you may have:
Other general signs of cancer include:
If you have one or more of these symptoms for a while or they get worse, talk to your doctor. You may also not have any signs of disease at all. That's why it's important go to your follow-up appointments. Your doctor will do an exam and may order tests to check for a lung cancer recurrence.
Get immediate medical help if you have sudden or serious symptoms, such as high fever, severe pain, or a hard time catching your breath.
Your chances depend on what type of lung cancer you have and its stage. The kind of treatment you've had may also play a role.
There are two types of lung cancer: Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common, accounting for roughly 85% of cases. The other kind is small-cell lung cancer (SCLC).
If you have NSCLC, your chance of a recurrence depends on what stage you have. Your doctor will tell you your stage from 0 to IV. In general, the higher your stage, the more your cancer has spread, and the greater chance it'll come back. For example, research shows that one in three people with stage I will have a recurrence. For those diagnosed with stage III, the lung cancer will return about 63% of the time.
SCLC is the most aggressive kind of lung cancer. Although SCLC responds well to treatment at first, most people will have a recurrence in a year or two. When SCLC comes back, it tends to spread faster.
There are two stages:
Your doctors may recommend a different treatment for your cancer recurrence than what you did the first time. They will decide based on:
Your doctor may prescribe one or more of these treatments. The goal may be to cure the cancer, slow its growth, or ease any symptoms.
Who's On Your Lung Cancer Medical Care Team?
As you go through lung cancer treatment, you'll have a whole team of professionals ensuring that you're getting quality care. That group will likely include your primary doctor, cancer specialists, and other experts who will work together with you every step of the way.
There are three main types of lung cancer, and the type and stage of cancer you have will affect the care you need. You'll want to really get to know each person and understand what they do, because open communication is crucial to getting the best care.
The health care professionals you work with may include:
Your primary care doctor. They may be the first person to raise the possibility that you have lung cancer and refer you for further testing. Ask for recommendations to a couple of doctors so that you can research them and choose the one that's the best fit for you.
Even though your oncologist will be the main doctor for your lung cancer treatment, you'll still see your primary care doctor for your general health care. Your primary care doctor may get written updates from your cancer doctors, too. They can help answer questions that you still have after seeing the oncologist.
Medical oncologist. Oncologists are doctors who specialize in treating cancer. A thoracic oncologist is a medical oncologist with a specialty in lung cancer.
You'll want an oncologist who has a lot of experience with your type of lung cancer, listens to you, and puts you at ease. (You'll also want to make sure that their office accepts your health insurance and is in your plan's network.) Bring a friend or family member to the appointment and prepare questions ahead of time.
You may also want to get a second opinion. Your doctor should support this and may even refer you to another doctor who can confirm their diagnosis or offer different treatment options. And if for some reason you don't feel like your oncologist is a good fit for you, you can choose another one.
Radiation oncologists specialize in using radiation to treat lung cancer. Yours will work closely with your main oncologist.
Thoracic surgeons operate on the chest. You will work with one of these surgeons if you're going to get lung cancer surgery.
Oncology nurses. These nurses specialize in working with people who have cancer. They'll be involved with your medications and work with you and your family to help you understand your treatment and potential side effects.
Pulmonologists focus on lung diseases. Apart from your cancer treatment, a pulmonologist can help with other breathing problems that may arise during treatment.
Pathologists test tissue and other samples taken during a biopsy to determine the type and stage of your lung cancer. You probably won't meet with yours, but you'll get their pathology report.
Radiologists analyze MRIs, CT scans, and PET scans to see how your cancer is responding to treatment. Again, you likely won't meet your radiologist in person, but you'll get their report from your oncologist.
Pharmacists fill the prescriptions that your doctor orders. They can explain how your medications work and answer questions about how to take it and what side effects to expect. Your pharmacist (and your doctor) can connect you with resources to help cover out-of-pocket costs.
You may also work with these other professionals to help with other issues that can come with cancer and treatment.
Registered dietitian. Your nutrition needs may change during lung cancer treatment. These experts provide advice about how to meet those needs and foods that might worsen treatment side effects. Your doctor can refer you to a dietitian with experience working with people with cancer.
Patient navigator. Often a nurse or social worker, this person will make sure that everyone on your team is in touch and working together. Your navigator will be your main contact if you have a question about your care.
Rehabilitation therapists. Physical and occupational therapists help you keep up your strength after treatment or surgery. Respiratory therapists assist with breathing problems.
Palliative care specialists. These doctors and nurses help you manage pain and stress, make medical decisions, and find additional support services along with your regular medical care. Your doctor can suggest a palliative care professional, or you may get palliative care from the doctors you're already working with.
Oncology social worker. These professionals work with you and your medical team to provide counseling and connect you to any support services you might need. This might include:
Your doctor can refer you to a social worker that works with cancer patients.
Mental health professionals. These specialists are there to support you through any emotional issues that come up during or after lung cancer treatment. They may include:
Collinsville Woman With Stage 4 Lung Cancer Becomes U.S. Citizen After Decade-long Journey
A woman fighting Stage 4 lung cancer becomes a U.S. Citizen at a Tulsa Naturalization Ceremony. It comes after a more than a decade-long journey.Wednesday, April 9th 2025, 2:18 pm
By: Kaitlyn Deggs
TULSA, Okla. -A woman battling Stage 4 lung cancer is one of more than 30 people who became United States Citizens in Tulsa on Wednesday.
She was part of a Naturalization Ceremony held at Bishop Kelley High School.
KAY'S JOURNEYThere were lots of happy tears as Kay Calhoun celebrated the end of a journey that's been more than 10 years in the making.
"Thank you Lord, I'm really grateful for God giving me this opportunity to be here, and just being American. Together with my family," said Calhoun.
Kay met her husband Casey when he was serving in the Marines in Japan.
Kay was born in the Philippines but moved to Japan as a kid.
"2015 is when she got her first visitor visa to come visit, and ever since then, it's been an in-and-out journey, just trying to get to where we are now," said Casey.
Kay says the journey hasn't been without a few hiccups, including having to restart the visa process during the pandemic.
"It was just like a rollercoaster ride, because paperwork takes forever, and money involved, and just everything," said Kay.
She says it's been especially tough to get it all done, as she is fighting Stage 4 lung cancer.
"I have chemo every 21 days," said Kay. "And one of the effects is, your brain is a little bit slower, so I'm not very confident to go through the test. But I prayed and prayed, and their help and all the Post-Its at home!"
They say faith and love are what carried them through these difficult times.
They hope they inspire people to keep going.
"Very proud of her. She never gave up. Even cancer, nothing will stop her," said Casey. "I'm just very proud of her."
"You guys, and my family over there, they didn't give up on me, so I don't have reason to give up," said Kay.
Kay's friends and family members say they were beyond excited to be there and see this important day for her.
"We're excited to see this process," said Marilyn Ledbetter. "We've never seen it before, so we're very grateful for this opportunity."
THE CEREMONYThe 31 people who became citizens were from more than a dozen countries around the world, from all continents but Antarctica.
Each citizen took the Oath of Allegiance and returned their Permanent Resident Cards before receiving their Certificates of Naturalization.
HELP THE CALHOUNSThe family has set up this GoFundMe page to help with Kay's medical expenses HERE.
Kaitlyn DeggsKaitlyn Deggs came to Tulsa after graduating from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. Kaitlyn Deggs started as a Multimedia Journalist for News On 6 in January 2022.
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