What is Lung Cancer?
What is Lung Cancer?Lung cancer is the formation of cancerous cells in the lungs. The leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, lung cancer impairs the ability to breathe and often spreads to other body parts. Smoking is the most common cause of lung cancer, but it can also affect those who have never smoked.
Types of Lung Cancer
TypesThere are two primary types of lung cancer: small cell cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell cancer (NSCLC). NSCLC is more common, accounting for 85% to 90% of lung cancers, while approximately 10% to 15% of lung cancers are SCLC.
Here are some facts and key differences between NSCLC and SCLC:
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
- Typically grows and spreads more slowly than SCLC.
- Surgery is utilized in both early and advanced stages of the disease
- Treatment may also include chemotherapy, targeted therapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy.
- Common types of NSCLC are adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma.
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC)
- Cells look round and smaller compared to NSCLC cells.
- Grows and spreads more quickly than non-small cell lung cancer.
- Often diagnosed after it has already spread beyond the lungs.
- Primarily treated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
- Classified as limited-stage (LS-SCLC) when confined to one lung or nearby lymph nodes, or extensive-stage (ES-SCLC) when it has spread to the other lung or distant organs.
Stages of Lung Cancer
StagesLung cancer is diagnosed and monitored in stages and categories that indicate the size of the tumor(s), whether cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes, and whether cancer has spread to other organs in the body. Small-cell lung cancer has just two stages, limited and extensive, while non-small cell lung cancer is tracked with a 0-4 staging system.
Stages of small-cell lung cancer include:
- Limited - Cancer is only on one side of the chest, generally in just one lung and in some cases into the lymph nodes on the same side of the chest
- Extensive - As its name suggests, this stage indicates cancer has spread throughout one lung and into the other, into lymph nodes nearby, and other parts of the body
Stages of non-small cell lung cancer include:
- Stage 0 - Cancer is only detected in the outermost cell layer lining the lungs, but it hasn't spread further
- Stage 1 - The tumor has grown larger than 1cm across and has spread into further tissues lining the lungs but not into lymph nodes or other organs
- Stage 2 - At this stage, tumors have grown slightly in size, may have begun to clog the airways, and may have spread into nearby lymph nodes but not to distant parts of the body
- Stage 3 - Tumors are large, involve critical structures such as the heart, and/or have spread into lymph nodes on either side of the chest but not into other organs
- Stage 4 - Cancer has spread to the other lung and/or to other organs, or cancer cells have been found in the fluid around the lung or heart
Signs & Symptoms of Lung Cancer
Signs and SymptomsLung cancer typically doesn't have signs in its earliest stages. The following symptoms of lung cancer can be found in advanced cases:
- Persistent or worsening cough
- Coughing up blood
- Chest pain, particularly with coughing, laughing, or deep breathing
- Unexplained weight loss
- Recurring infections, like bronchitis or pneumonia
If you’re experiencing any persistent signs or symptoms of lung cancer, mention them to your doctor.
What Causes Lung Cancer?
CausesSmoking causes the majority of lung cancers, both in smokers and in people exposed to secondhand smoke. Still, one out of every seven lung cancers can appear in those who never smoked and those who never had prolonged exposure to secondhand smoke.
Air pollution and exposure to particular substances, such as radon, asbestos, or chemicals found in certain industrial work environments, can also increase the risk of lung cancer.
Risk Factors of Lung Cancer
Risk FactorsLeading risk factors of lung cancer include:
- Smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke
- Previous radiation therapy
- Exposure to radon gas
- Exposure to asbestos and other carcinogens
- Family history of lung cancer
Lung Cancer Prevention
PreventionYou can lower your risk of lung cancer by avoiding the leading risk factors, as well as making lifestyle adjustments:
- Not smoking
- Avoiding secondhand smoke
- Testing your home for radon
- Avoiding carcinogens
- Eating a diet with fruits and vegetables
- Exercise
Comprehensive care for lung cancer
Comprehensive CareNewYork-Presbyterian treats all types and stages of lung cancer, including non-small cell carcinomas, small cell lung cancer, and mediastinal and pleural tumors, including thymoma and mesothelioma. Your treatment may include a combination of chemotherapy, targeted therapies, surgery, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy.
Our nationally renowned medical oncologists, thoracic surgeons, radiation oncologists, pathologists, oncology nurses, and respiratory therapists work together to provide you with a comprehensive, personalized treatment plan. They meet regularly to discuss your case, ensuring you receive the most effective lung cancer therapies. Our nutritionists, social workers, rehabilitation therapists, and palliative care experts will help you address the effects of lung cancer and its treatment on your physical and emotional well-being.
This content has been reviewed by the following medical editors.
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