What to ask after a lung cancer diagnosis

Short answer: After a lung cancer diagnosis, the questions that shape treatment are about the exact type (non-small cell vs. small cell, and the subtype), the stage, whether the tumor has actionable biomarkers (EGFR, ALK, ROS1, KRAS, PD-L1), and the order of surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. Full checklist below.

Lung cancer is now one of the most rapidly changing cancers in oncology — biomarker testing and immunotherapy have added treatment options that didn't exist a few years ago. The right questions early on make sure your care team runs the tests that unlock those options before treatment starts.

Questions about the diagnosis itself

• What type of lung cancer is this — non-small cell (NSCLC) or small cell (SCLC)?
• If NSCLC, what's the subtype (adenocarcinoma, squamous cell, large cell)?
• What stage is it, and what does that stage mean in practical terms?
• Has it spread to lymph nodes or beyond the lung? How was that confirmed — CT, PET, biopsy, brain MRI?
• Do you have enough tissue from the biopsy for full biomarker testing, or will more be needed?

Questions about biomarker and molecular testing

• Has my tumor been tested for actionable mutations — EGFR, ALK, ROS1, BRAF, KRAS G12C, MET, RET, HER2, NTRK?
• Has PD-L1 expression been tested?
• Will results guide first-line treatment, or are we starting before results are back?
• Is a liquid biopsy (blood-based genomic test) appropriate while we wait for tissue results?

Questions about treatment options

• What are all the treatment paths being considered — surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy — and in what order?
• If surgery is an option, is a lobectomy or a smaller resection recommended, and why?
• Am I a candidate for stereotactic body radiation (SBRT) instead of surgery?
• Are there clinical trials relevant to this specific stage and biomarker profile?
• Would getting a second opinion at an NCI-designated cancer center change the plan?

Questions about timeline and logistics

• How soon do treatment decisions need to be made?
• What does a realistic week-to-week timeline look like once treatment starts?
• Will I be able to work, and how much time off should I plan for?

Questions about side effects and quality of life

• What are the most common side effects of the recommended treatment, and which ones need an urgent call?
• If immunotherapy is part of the plan, what immune-related side effects (colitis, pneumonitis, thyroid) should I watch for?
• How will treatment affect my breathing, energy, and day-to-day life?
• Is pulmonary rehab appropriate before or during treatment?

Questions about support

• Is there a patient navigator or thoracic oncology social worker who can help coordinate next steps?
• What lung cancer–specific support organizations do you recommend? (LUNGevity, GO2 for Lung Cancer, American Lung Association.)
• Are there support groups for my exact subtype or biomarker (EGFR, ALK, etc.)?

A note on second opinions

Lung cancer treatment is subspecialized, and biomarker-driven care varies a lot between centers. A second opinion at an academic or NCI-designated center rarely delays treatment and often changes the plan — sometimes significantly. Most oncologists expect and welcome the request.

If your first appointment left you with a report full of words you don't understand, how to read a pathology report you don't understand is a plain-language walkthrough. And for the first 72 hours after diagnosis, our guide to what to do first after a cancer diagnosis walks through the order that matters most.

Related reading

• Symptoms of lung cancer — early signs and when to see a doctor.
• Just diagnosed with cancer: what to do first — the first 72 hours, in order.
• Questions to ask after any new diagnosis — the full framework for the first real appointment.

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This post is for general informational purposes and isn't a substitute for guidance from your care team.