We Treat
Lung Cancer
Over the past decade, research and treatment for lung cancer have made significant strides, leading to improved survival rates. Our world-renowned experts in cancer care and clinical research are here to help you navigate these advancements, offering state-of-the-art, personalized care tailored to your needs.
Your lungs are vital organs composed of sponge-like tissues divided into lobes—the right lung has three lobes, while the left lung has two, making space for your heart. Understanding these details can help you feel more informed and empowered about your health.
What are some of the signs and symptoms of lung cancer?
Lung cancer symptoms can differ widely from person to person, and it’s not uncommon for individuals to be symptom-free until the disease has progressed. Seeking medical attention as soon as you notice any symptoms can significantly improve the chances of diagnosing lung cancer at an earlier stage, when treatment is more likely to be effective. While many early symptoms might be caused by conditions other than lung cancer, it’s essential to consult your physician if you have any concerns. We’re here to support you in taking these important steps towards your health and well-being.
The most common lung cancer symptoms can include:
- A persistent cough
- Coughing up blood or rust-colored phlegm
- Chest pain that gets worse with deep breaths, coughing, or laughing
- Hoarse throat
- Loss of appetite
- Unexplained weight loss
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Infections like bronchitis or pneumonia that don’t go away or keep coming back
- Wheezing
If you are experiencing any new or unusual symptoms, please see your physician so the cause can be determined and treated as needed.
Risk Factors
Staging
Treatment
Clinical Trials
How is lung cancer diagnosed?
The first step in diagnosing lung cancer typically involves an imaging test. If you have any concerning symptoms or an increased risk of lung cancer, your doctor may recommend starting with a low-dose CT scan, MRI, X-ray or positron emission tomography (PET) scan. These tests help provide a clear picture of what’s happening inside your lungs.
In some cases, your doctor might also examine mucus from your lungs, known as sputum, to check for cancer cells. This test is called sputum cytology.
If imaging tests reveal any areas of concern, your healthcare team may suggest a biopsy. Most biopsies can be performed without invasive surgery. For example, a bronchoscopy involves passing a lighted tube with a camera down your throat into your lungs to examine the area. Another method called a mediastinoscopy, involves making a small incision at the base of your neck to take tissue samples from your lymph nodes. These samples are then carefully analyzed to detect cancer cells and help determine the best treatment options for you.
Risk factors for lung cancer
Risk factors can raise your chances of developing lung cancer, but it’s important to remember that some of these factors, like smoking, can be changed. While it’s true that some people with multiple risk factors never develop lung cancer, and others with no known risk factors do, being aware of what might increase your risk can empower you to take proactive steps for your health.
Common risk factors include:
- Smoking
- Exposure to radon
- Workplace exposure to asbestos and other cancer-causing agents
- Personal or family history of lung cancer
- Air pollution
Types of lung cancer
There are two main types of lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer. About 80% of all lung cancers are non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) and grow and spread slower than small cell lung cancers. NSCLC are named for the type of cells that make up the cancer (adenocarcinoma, large cell carcinomas, or squamous cell carcinomas) and are typically treated with surgery if they have not spread beyond the lung- although other treatments are often used in conjunction with surgery.
Small cell lung cancers make up about 10% of all lung cancers and grow and spread faster than NSCLC. Most cases of small cell lung cancer are due to cigarette smoking.
Staging
Cancer staging refers to the process of determining the extent of cancer in the body, including the size of the tumor and whether it has spread to other areas.
When it comes to lung cancer, most physicians use a different measurement to determine and describe small-cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. For small-cell lung cancer physicians use two stages:
- Limited-stage lung cancer is located in one lung. It may have spread to the lymph nodes on the same side of the chest but not to other parts of the body.
- Extensive-stage lung cancer has spread to the other lung, to lymph nodes on the other side of the chest, to fluid around the lung, or to other parts of the body.
For non-small cell lung cancer, physicians divide it into multiple numbered and lettered stages indicating how much the cancer has spread:
- Occult (hidden) cancer: Cancer cells have been detected in samples, but cancer is not found in other tests. Cancer has not spread to lymph nodes or other parts of the body.
How is lung cancer treated?
Lung cancer treatments and research are advancing rapidly, bringing new hope and possibilities. At SCRI Oncology Partners, we are committed to offering the latest treatments. We provide targeted therapy and immunotherapy, along with leveraging cutting-edge technologies and innovative clinical trials to help treat advanced and high-risk cancers.
We understand that every individual and their cancer is unique. Your treatment plan will be thoughtfully crafted by your provider, tailored to your specific cancer and personal needs.
For some lung cancers, especially those in the early stages or that have not spread to other organs, removing the tumor with surgery may be an option. Surgical options may include thoracotomy, VATS (video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery) or robotic-assisted surgery. Depending on your diagnosis, your provider team may leverage a combination of surgery and other therapy types, including:
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses anti-cancer drugs that travel through the bloodstream to reach cancer cells wherever they are in the body. Chemotherapy may be used to treat lung cancers after surgery or before to shrink and halt cancer growth.
Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy treats cancer by using high energy rays to target and eliminate cancer cells. There are two main types of radiation therapy: external bema therapy and internal radiation therapy (also called brachytherapy).
Targeted therapies
Targeted therapy uses medicine to target cancer cells and stop or slow their growth. These medicines target the proteins that cause lung cancer cells to grow and spread. They may be used alongside other treatments, like chemotherapy. Some targeted therapies may be used as a maintenance treatment for advanced lung cancers in patients with or without a gene mutation.
Lung Cancer Clinical Trials
Oncology clinical trials and lung cancer research studies play a vital role in fighting lung cancer. SCRI Oncology Partners is committed to utilizing clinical trials to improve patient outcomes and ensure access to cutting-edge scientific advancements for patients in the community. If you are interested in participating in a clinical trial through our collaboration with Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI), a global leader in oncology research, the first step is to talk to our healthcare team.
Discover more lung cancer resources:
What is Biomarker Testing for Lung Cancer?
Biomarkers are proteins, hormones, or pieces of DNA that can be released by cancer cells or by your body in response to cancer, which may be tested for.
Advancements in Lung Cancer Treatment Provide Hope for Patients
Receiving a lung cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming, and you may have questions about your options and what comes next.
Contact Us
Whether you are newly diagnosed, previously treated or seeking additional care or research options, we are here to support you every step of the way.
Contact Us
Whether you are newly diagnosed, previously treated or seeking additional care or research options, we are here to support you every step of the way.
Contact Us
Whether you are newly diagnosed, previously treated or seeking additional care or research options, we are here to support you every step of the way.