Lung Cancer

Dr. Nepal, a pulmonologist, showing a patient a pair of lungs.

Lung cancer is a type of cancer that starts when abnormal cells grow rapidly in your body. There are two types of lung cancer:

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) - the most common type of lung cancer
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) - tends to grow faster than NSCLC

Symptoms of Lung Cancer

Many individuals do not have symptoms during the early stages of their lung cancer. Early stages are normally diagnosed through routine lung cancer screenings or an imaging test. As lung cancer spreads, you may begin to notice some of these symptoms:

A lingering cough
Chest pain or bone pain
Coughing up blood or blood in your spit
Feeling tired or weak
Hoarseness
Loss of appetite or weight loss
Recurring respiratory infections
Shortness of breath or wheezing
Swelling in the neck

Lung Cancer Screening Guidelines

Detecting lung cancer early significantly increases your chances of survival. A low-dose computed tomography (CT) scan, is a simple screening that can detect signs of lung nodules early.

Talk to your primary care provider about being screened for lung cancer if you meet these guidelines:

- Are between the ages of 50-77.
- Are a current smoker or you quit smoking within the last 15 years.
- Have a tobacco smoking history of at least 20 "pack years" (an average of one pack per day for 20 years or two packs per day for 10 years)

What happens if a lung nodule is found?

If a suspicious lung nodule is found during your lung cancer screening, rest assured you have a full team of cancer experts that will be there for you every step of the way. You’ll receive comprehensive, personalized care from diagnosis and treatment to support and survivorship.