Recommendations for Follow-Up Care After Treatment for Lung Cancer

After treatment for lung cancer, it is important to follow your provider’s plan for follow-up care. This article goes over the most common follow-up recommendations. You should talk with your care team about your specific follow-up plan.

Screening for Recurrence or New Cancer

Follow-up care for lung cancer depends on (1) the type of lung cancer you had (2) the stage of cancer you had and (3) the types of treatment you had.

For Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

• If you have stage I (one) or II (two) non-small cell lung cancer and you had surgery with or without chemotherapy:
  • You should see your healthcare provider, have a physical exam and chest CT scan every 6 months for 2 to 3 years, then once a year starting at year 4.
• If you have stage I (one) or II (two) non-small cell lung cancer and your primary treatment was radiation:
  • You should see your healthcare provider, have a physical exam and a chest CT every 3 to 6 months for 3 years and then every 6 months for 2 years. After 5 years this can be done once a year.
• If you have stage III (three) or IV (four) non-small cell lung cancer:
  • You should see your healthcare provider, have a physical exam and a chest CT every 3 to 6 months for 3 years and then every 6 months for 2 years. After 5 years this can be done once a year.

For Small Cell Lung Cancer

• If you have limited-stage small cell lung cancer
  • You should see your healthcare provider every 3 months for the first 2 years after treatment, then every 6 months in year three, then once a year after that.
  • Your provider may order a CT scan of your chest and abdomen if needed.
  • You should have an MRI of the brain every 3 to 4 months in the first year after treatment and then every 6 months in year 2.
• If you have extensive-stage small cell lung cancer
  • You should see your healthcare provider every two months for the first year, every 3 to 4 months during years 2 and 3, every 6 months in years 4 and 5, and then once a year after that.
  • Your provider may order a CT scan of your chest and abdomen if needed.
  • You should have an MRI of your brain every 3-4 months in the first year after treatment and then every 6 months in year 2.

Healthy Living After Lung Cancer

Survivors often wonder what steps they can take to live healthier after cancer. There is no supplement or specific food you can eat to gaurentee good health, but there are things you can do to live healthier, prevent other diseases, catch other cancers early, and in some cases, reduce the risk of your cancer coming back. After treatment for lung cancer, it is important to:

• Have your recommended cancer screenings. This could be screening for breast, skin, prostate or cervical cancers.
• Have your recommended adult vaccinations like the annual flu, COVID-19, shingles and pneumovax. Talk with your provider about which vaccines you need and when.
• Have an active lifestyle and a healthy body weight.
  • Aim for 30 minutes of moderate exercise/activity most days of the week with a goal of 150 minutes a week. Talk with your healthcare team about how to get started with (or back to) an exercise program.
• Eat a healthy diet rich in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Try to limit red and processed meats.
• Limit alcohol use to 2 or fewer drinks per day for men; 1 or fewer drinks per day for women.
• If you use tobacco, make a plan to quit. Learn about how to get started.
• It is important to have health insurance so that you can get your follow-up care as recommended. If you are having insurance issues, ask your team about talking with a social worker who can help with this.