Expert lung cancer care
After skin cancer, lung cancer is the most common cancer in men and women. The leading cause of cancer death, cases of lung cancer contribute to nearly 25 percent of all cancer deaths annually. The good news is that survival rates for lung cancer improve significantly with early detection, prevention and screening.
There are two main types of lung cancer:
Non-small cell lung cancer. The most common type of lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer includes adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and large cell carcinoma. These cancers typically grow and spread more slowly than small cell lung carcinoma.
Small cell lung cancer. This form of cancer is less common, contributing to approximately 10 to 15 percent of lung cancers. Sometimes referred to as an oat cell carcinoma, small cell lung cancer tends to grow and spread quickly and is often in an advanced stage at time of diagnosis.
In early stages, lung cancer typically doesn’t cause symptoms, which is why it’s often not diagnosed until the disease is advanced. Signs of lung cancer may include:
- A cough that worsens or doesn’t go away
- Coughing up blood
- Hoarseness
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Chest pain that worsens with coughing, deep breathing or laughing
- Bronchitis or pneumonia infections that don’t go away or keep coming back
- Weakness or tiredness
- Loss of appetite
- Unexplained weight loss
If lung cancer has spread to other parts of the body, symptoms may include:
- Swollen lymph nodes, such as in the neck or above the collarbone
- Bone pain, such as in the hips or back
- Yellowing of the eyes and skin (if cancer has spread to the liver)
- Headache; weakness or numbness of a leg or arm; balance problems; dizziness; or seizures (if cancer has spread to the brain)
Should you be screened for lung cancer?
You can’t always prevent lung cancer, but knowing the risk factors, taking steps to lower your risk when possible and getting screened can help support your long-term health.
Take our Lung Cancer Risk Assessment to find out if you should be screened for lung cancer.
Begin Assessment Learn About Risk Factors and Screening OptionsDiagnosing and treating lung cancer
Treatment options for lung cancer vary based on the type of cancer, the stage of the cancer, and a person’s overall health and lung function. Some treatments are used to treat and control the cancer itself, while others are used to improve symptoms and quality of life.
Surgery often provides the best chance to cure early-stage non-small cell lung cancer, though this approach is rarely used to treat small cell lung cancer. Nonsurgical treatments for lung cancer may include:
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Immunotherapy
- Radiofrequency ablation (ABA)
- Targeted drug therapy
- Palliative procedures
- Clinical trials
Your oncologist will discuss the most suitable treatment options with you. Together, you will create a personalized treatment plan to help you achieve the best possible outcome and quality of life. Learn more about cancer treatment options and support services at MultiCare.
Prevention and screening
Thanks to advancements in early detection and treatments, the number of new lung cancer diagnoses and deaths is on the decline. Quitting smoking can lower your risk of developing lung cancer.