Lung Cancer Stories
Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment

Lung cancer includes two main types: non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer. Smoking causes most lung cancers, but nonsmokers can also develop lung cancer.  (National Cancer Institute)

Explore below for in-depth lung cancer stories from our community members who share everything from first symptoms to navigating life with cancer.

• Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Stories
• Small Cell Lung Cancer Stories
• Ask A Lung Cancer Oncologist

Non-Small Cell

Yovana Portillo, Non-Small Cell, Invasive Mucinous Adenocarcinoma (IMA), Stage 1B



Cancer details: Had no genetic mutations; IMAs comprise between 2-10% of all lung tumors
1st Symptoms: No apparent symptoms
Treatment: Lobectomy of the left lung

Tara Sanderson, Non-Small Cell, ALK+, Stage 4 (Metastatic)



Cancer details: ALK+ occurs in 1 out of 25 non-small cell lung cancer patients
1st Symptoms: Numbness in face, left arm and leg
Treatment: Targeted radiation, targeted therapy (Alectinib)

Lisa Goldman, Non-Small Cell, ROS1+, Stage 4 (Metastatic)



Cancer Details: ROS1+ tends to be aggressive. It can spread to the brain and to the bones.
1st Symptoms: Persistent cough (months), coughing a little blood, high fever, night sweats
Treatment: Chemo (4 cycles), maintenance chemo (4 cycles)

Small Cell

Ask A Lung Cancer Oncologist

Dr. D. Ross Camidge, Lung Cancer Specialist



Oncologist: Specializing in thoracic oncology. Small Cell (Immunotherapy), EGFR (Osimertinib), ALK (Alectinib), ROS1 (Crizotinib), BRAF (Dabrafenib & Trametinib), NTRK
Experience: ~15 years
Hospital/clinic size: Mid-sized institution