Lung Cancer Informational Study (LCIS)

Many patients with advanced lung cancer and their caregivers struggle with treatment decisions, such as when to say "enough." Patient preparation for facing termination of cancer-directed therapy for the number one cause of cancer mortality for both men and women in the U.S. is not well handled in most clinical practices. Sparse literature validates that this concern is often denied by investigators. Failure to engage in a systematic, informed decision-making process, even in the initial stage of treatment, may often result in patients looking back and saying, "Knowing what I know now, I wouldn't make the same choice" The long-term goal of this program of research is to enhance patient care for lung cancer by oncology health professionals and to promote patient empowerment to make informed choices, defined as the ability to actively understand and influence one's health status. For this study, shared decision making is defined as a tailored, interactive process (emphasizing beliefs/personal values) in which the patient is informed enough to ask pertinent questions and to participate in the final decision at his/her own preference and comfort levels. The intent is to test a decision aid for patients with advanced lung cancer to help facilitate informed decisions about treatments that affect quality of life, including termination of cancer-directed treatment.

Inclusion criteria

• Pathologically or cytologically determined non-small cell lung cancer
• Stage IIIA, IIIB or IV extent
• No prior chemotherapy unless used in adjuvant therapy, completed more than two years ago, and no sign of any other malignancy active at this time
• Lung cancer-directed treatment with a standard or investigative chemotherapy regimen at entry
• Patients with brain metastasis are acceptable provided they are at least 3 weeks from completion of radiation therapy for brain metastasis, have stable and acceptable neurological status, and meet all other eligibility criteria. For patients undergoing gamma knife procedure, cognitive ability is the judgment call of the oncologist and study nurse as to whether comprehension is not a problem.

Exclusion criteria

• Performance status of KPS 60-100% or ECOG 0-2;
• No age limit
• Life expectancy greater than three months
• A caregiver (any family member or concerned other who consistently provides emotional and/or physical support) available to also participate
• Patient and caregiver are able to understand English (ability to repeat back in their own words)