Lung cancer is the second most common form of cancer. In 2023, over 230,000 people in the United States were diagnosed with lung cancer. However, early detection and cutting-edge treatments are helping many people live longer than ever before. If you or someone you love has lung cancer, the lung cancer specialists in pulmonary oncology at WMCHealth will treat you with compassion and the most advanced care available.
What Is Lung Cancer?
Lung cancer is a type of cancer that originates in the lungs.
Most people associate lung cancer with smoking. Although smoking is the No. 1 cause of lung cancer, it can also occur in non-smokers. Lung cancer can also be caused by exposure to secondhand smoke, asbestos, and radon. It may also occur in people with a family history of lung cancer.
Most cases of lung cancer occur in older people. The average age of lung cancer diagnosis is 70. Although it’s not likely, lung cancer can occur in younger people. Men have a one in 16 chance of developing lung cancer in their lifetime, while women have a one in 17 risk. This risk is much higher if you smoke.
Symptoms of Lung Cancer
- A cough that won’t go away
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Weight loss for no apparent reason
- Headaches
- Coughing up blood
- Feeling tired
- Wheezing
- Hoarseness
Types of Lung Cancer
There are two types of lung cancer: small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Most cases of lung cancer are NSCLC. There are three subtypes of NSCLC: adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large cell (undifferentiated) carcinoma. These types of lung cancer typically have similar treatment plans and outlooks.
Small Cell Lung Cancer
SCLC is less common than NSCLC. If you’re diagnosed with SCLC, the cancer has typically spread beyond the lungs, which means you’ll likely need radiation and/or chemotherapy. SCLC is faster-growing than NSCLC and often comes back.
Diagnosing Lung Cancer
The first step in detecting lung cancer is often a chest X-ray. If there is still reason to suspect you might have lung cancer, your doctor will order a CT (computed tomography) scan. You might also have a PET scan or a bronchoscopy, which involves a camera going through your mouth or nose and into your lungs. During a bronchoscopy, your doctor will likely take a biopsy, or tissue sample, of your lungs.
Innovative Screening Services for Lung Cancer at WMCHealth
WMCHealth knows the importance of screening for lung cancer, especially in high-risk patients. Westchester Medical Center and MidHudson Regional Hospital offer a low-dose CT lung cancer screening program, which can screen people for lung cancer through a quick CT scan of the chest. Lung cancer screening in high-risk patients is important because there are not typically symptoms of lung cancer early on, and early diagnosis can be life-saving.
In 2023, WMCHealth was named a Lung Cancer Screening Center of Excellence by GO2 for Lung Cancer, a nationally recognized organization supporting lung cancer care and research.
Yearly lung cancer screening is recommended for people who meet all three of these criteria:
- A 20-pack-year smoking history (smoking a pack a day for 20 years)
- Smoke currently or quit within the past 15 years
- Between 50 and 80 years old
Treatment for Lung Cancer
Surgery
There are several types of surgery for lung cancer. If you have surgery, your doctor will remove the cancerous tissue in your lungs. They may even remove a portion of your lung or the entire lung.
Radiation
Radiation medicine uses high-energy rays to non-invasively kill cancer cells.
Chemotherapy
This treatment involves medications that kill the cancer cells in your body. Chemotherapy drugs can be taken orally (by mouth) or intravenously (through your veins).
Other Options
In addition to the above treatment options, you may receive targeted drug therapy, in which medications are used to kill cancer cells. Or, you may receive immunotherapy, which supports your own immune system in fighting the cancer.