Lung cancer

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), smoking cigarettes is linked to about 80 to 90 percent of lung cancer deaths. This means that one of the most effective ways to prevent lung cancer is to quit smoking. We understand that quitting smoking can be difficult, which is why we offer patients support through education and resources on smoking cessation.

Additionally, if patients are at an increased risk for lung cancer, we may recommend certain imaging exams to detect cancer early, when it is more treatable. This may include a low-dose computed tomography (CT) scan.

Talk to your doctor about a screening test if the below criteria apply to you:

• You are 55 years old and older.
• You are a current smoker or former smoker who quit within the last 15 years.
• You have a 30 or more pack year history of smoking.
  • A pack year is a way to measure the amount of smoking an individual has done over a period of time. A 30-pack year history of smoking is equivalent to smoking one pack of cigarettes a day for 30 years. You can calculate the number of cigarettes you have consumed with the American Cancer Society’s cigarette calculator.
• You have been exposed to asbestos or radon.

Unfortunately, signs of lung cancer tend to not show up until the disease is in later stages, which is why preventive care is so important. However, early detection is still possible with screenings and talking to your doctor about any potential symptoms you experience.

Common symptoms of lung cancer can include:

• A new, chronic cough or a cough that doesn't go away
• Chest pain that is worse with deep breathing or coughing
• Coughing up blood
• Fatigue
• Hoarseness
• Shortness of breath
• Unexplained loss of appetite and/or weight loss

Lung cancer can start anywhere in the respiratory tract. Since the respiratory system is so complex, there are multiple types of lung cancer.

These include:

• Small cell lung cancers—a fast growing type of lung cancer that is usually caused by smoking
• Non-small cell lung cancers—generally a less aggressive form of lung cancer, which includes:
  • Adenocarcinomas
  • Large cell carcinomas
  • Squamous cell carcinomas

When lung cancer is detected early, our highly skilled surgeons have a better chance of successfully treating the cancer. Our doctors offer personalized treatment based on your unique situation.

The most common treatments for lung cancer include:

• Chemotherapy
• Radiation therapy
• Surgery