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Lung Cancer

Lung cancer begins in the lungs and may spread to lymph nodes or other organs in the body, such as the brain. Cancer from other organs also may spread to the lungs. When cancer cells spread from one organ to another, they are called metastases.

Types of Lung Cancer

Lung cancers usually are grouped into two main types called small cell and non-small cell (non-small cell includes adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma). These types of lung cancer grow differently and are treated differently. Non-small cell lung cancer is more common than small cell lung cancer.

What is lung cancer screening in a short video

Spanish version: ¡La detección salva vidas! Aprende sobre el cribado de cáncer pulmonar con TAC. on Vimeo

Symptoms of Lung Cancer

People can have different symptoms for lung cancer. Some people have symptoms related to the lungs. Some people whose lung cancer has spread to other parts of the body (metastasized) have symptoms specific to that part of the body. Some people just have general symptoms of not feeling well. Most people with lung cancer don't have symptoms until the cancer is advanced.

Lung cancer symptoms may include:

  • Coughing that gets worse or doesn't go away
  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Wheezing
  • Coughing up blood
  • Feeling very tired all the time
  • Weight loss with no known cause

Other changes that can sometimes occur with lung cancer may include repeated bouts of pneumonia and swollen or enlarged lymph nodes (glands) inside the chest in the area between the lungs.

These signs and symptoms can happen with other illnesses, too. If you have some of these signs and symptoms, talk to your doctor, who can help find the cause.

Most people with lung cancer don't have symptoms until the cancer is advanced

Risk Factors for Lung Cancer

Key points:  Cigarette smoking is the number one risk factor for lung cancer.  Radon is another important cause of lung cancer in the United States.

At this time, all of the causes of lung cancer are not well understood. However, scientists agree that certain factors increase a person's risk of developing this disease. These risk factors include:

  • Smoking
  • Radon gas
  • Asbestos in the workplace
  • Ionizing Radiation
  • Personal history
  • Other lung diseases
  • Other workplace exposures

More detailed information about symptoms

Cigarette smoking is the number one risk factor for lung cancer

Lung Cancer Screening

Screening means testing for a disease when there are no symptoms or history of that disease. Doctors recommend a screening test to find a disease early, when treatment may work better.

Find the closest screening site for your patients through the NY Lung Cancer Screening Site Locator Map.

More about lung cancer screening

Resources and Additional Information 

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