Everything You Need To Know About Lung Cancer

If you or a loved one is dealing with lung cancer, you are not alone.  

The National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health states that lung cancer represents 12.9% of all new cancer cases identified, with an estimated 235,000 cases expected in 2024, just in the U.S. alone. 

Understanding what lung cancer is, what the symptoms are, how to seek diagnosis, and what treatment options are available can prepare you or your loved ones and help answer some questions during this confusing and difficult time. 

Understanding Lung Cancer

You know how crucial your lungs are to your everyday life, but knowing the makeup of your lungs can help you understand lung cancer a little more. 

The lungs are some of the most critical organs in your body, allowing you to breathe by taking in oxygen and expelling carbon dioxide. Your lungs are two sponge-like organs; the right lung has three sections called lobes, and the left lung has two lobes. As you breathe in air through your mouth or nose, the air travels through the trachea (or windpipe), which divides into tubes called the bronchi. 

The air then enters the lungs, and the bronchi divides into smaller bronchi. Smaller branches, or bronchioles, form and the air then goes into small sacs at the end of the bronchioles, called alveoli. The alveoli absorb the oxygen into your blood when you inhale air and remove the carbon dioxide from the blood as you exhale. 

Lung cancers usually begin in the cells that line the bronchi, as well as parts of the lung such as the bronchioles or alveoli. 

Different Types of Lung Cancer

When it comes to a diagnosis of lung cancer, you’ll need to understand the difference between the two types: non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). The stronger of the two is small cell lung cancer. Though both diseases are in the lungs, they are very different. 

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

The majority of lung cancers are NSCLC, making up about 80% to 85%. Although these types of cancers begin to form in different cell types, they’re grouped together because treatment and prognoses are often similar. The main subtypes of NSCLC include the following: 

Adenocarcinoma 

Adenocarcinoma is typically found in the outer parts of the lungs. It affects mostly current or former smokers; however, it’s the most common type of lung cancer found in non-smokers. It occurs in the cells within the lungs that normally secrete substances. This type of lung cancer is more commonly found in women than men and affects more young people than other types of lung cancer. There is usually a good chance that adenocarcinoma will be found before it spreads. Those who are suffering from this type of cancer tend to have a better outlook than those with other types. 

Squamous cell carcinoma 

Squamous cell carcinoma is typically found in the central part of the lung. It begins in the squamous cells, which line the inside of the airways. 

Large cell (undifferentiated) carcinoma 

Large cell carcinoma can be found in any part of the lung. This is one of the most difficult types of lung cancers to treat, as it tends to grow and spread quickly. 

There are a few other types of NSCLC that are less common. These include adenosquamous carcinoma and sarcomatoid carcinoma. 

Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) 

Small cell lung cancer, or SCLC, is much less common than NSCLC, and about 10%-15% of all lung cancers are made up of this type. It’s sometimes referred to as oat cell cancer. 

NSCLC is more easily treated, as it is often diagnosed before it has spread. SCLC grows more quickly, with about 70% of people having cancer that spreads to other parts of the body before SCLC is diagnosed. It can return following treatment; however, this is on a case-by-case basis. 

Lung Tumors

Tumors are another form of lung cancer. When cells grow out of control, cancer can begin to form and create a tumor. Lung carcinoid tumors form from neuroendocrine cells, a special kind of cell found in the lungs. 

The two types of lung carcinoid tumors are known as typical and atypical. 

About 9 out of 10 lung carcinoids are typical carcinoids. These tumors tend to grow slowly and do not usually spread beyond the lungs. They also do not seem to be linked to smoking. 

Atypical carcinoids grow more rapidly and are more likely to spread to other organs. They are much less common than typical carcinoids and may be found more often in people who smoke. 

There’s also the chance that other types of cancers that are affecting various organs will spread into the lungs. However, these cancers are not considered lung cancer. For example, if someone has pancreatic cancer that spreads into the lungs, it’s still pancreatic cancer. Treatment will be based on where it began. 

Risk Factors

Unfortunately, there’s no way that lung cancer can be completely prevented. There are, however, certain risks that are associated with the disease. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the most widely researched risk factors for lung cancer include the following: 

• Smoking and secondhand smoke
• Radon and asbestos exposure 
• Family history 
• Radiation therapy to the chest 
  • Radiation therapy is often used to treat those who suffer from breast cancer.

Some related risk factors, including vaping, are still being researched by scientists. Many people who are diagnosed have not experienced any of these risk factors, but the signs and symptoms of lung cancer are still important to be aware of. If you find yourself dealing with these risks, bring them up to your physician to be safe. 

Diagnostics and Screening 

Screening for lung cancer is very straightforward, as there is only one recommended option: a low-dose CT scan, or LDCT. After you lie down on the scanning table, a low-dose x-ray machine takes thorough images of your lungs – there is no pain, and the procedure itself usually takes a few minutes to complete. 

If you’ve been diagnosed with lung cancer, it’s important that you seek out a second opinion before immediately beginning treatment. Not only do some insurance providers require it, but it also helps you gather more information on the diagnosis from another medical team. That gives you an opportunity to decide which health care team and treatment center feel like the best fit for you so you feel comfortable throughout the process. 

The diagnosis process at Capital Health is designed with your comfort in mind. We understand how difficult this time can be, so it’s our goal to put you at ease by keeping you informed every step of the way. 

Our multidisciplinary team approach, including doctors, nurses, and other expert health care professionals, ensures you’re always taken care of at Capital Health. We provide the most comprehensive lung screening in the region at our Cancer Center.  

With our cutting-edge diagnostic systems, LDCT screenings take less than a minute to complete and provide an extensive view of the chest for your medical team to use as they build your treatment plan. From there, your team of doctors will determine what comes next for you. 

Treatment

There is no one-size-fits all treatment method for lung cancer – that’s why our team of doctors will work with you to create an individualized program based on your diagnosis, body, and medical history. They will review a variety of treatment options to develop a comprehensive plan that’s convenient and compatible for you, the patient. 

Typical treatment options for lung cancer include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery. 

• Chemotherapy can be delivered by a pill or liquid, a vaccine, and, most often, through an IV needle that is connected to your bloodstream. These destroy any cell that is growing fast, which can cause side effects. If you have bad or uncomfortable side effects, your doctor may order a blood test to find out if you need a lower dose or if you need longer breaks between doses. 
• Radiation Therapy and Stereotactic Radiosurgery provides many options that may be offered with greater convenience and efficiency than chemotherapy, as well as fewer side effects. 

Robotic Surgery

As a leading cancer hospital in the New Jersey tri-state area, Capital Health also offers treatment options that utilize cutting-edge surgical technology, including the TrueBeamTM Linear Accelerator and Da Vinci CyberKnife® Robotic Radiosurgery. The added precision of robotic surgery options means these procedures are less invasive, and therefore decrease pain, blood loss, and recovery time, making patients’ hospital stays shorter and more simplified. 

• TrueBeamTM Linear Accelerator was offered first in the region by Capital Health Center. It operates by rotating around the patient to deliver a prescribed radiation dose from nearly any angle. 
• CyberKnife® Robotic Radiosurgery takes treatment of benign and malignant tumors to a new level by providing access to previously unreachable and untreatable tumors throughout the body when radiation therapy is indicated. As of right now, the Da Vinci is the latest and greatest technology for helping cure lung cancer 

Finding Support with Lung Cancer

Getting a cancer diagnosis can feel like a world-shattering experience. But through the continuous growth of modern medicine, there’s more hope than ever, making it paramount that you find all the support necessary as you work to battle this disease. 

Some patients will find that they feel lonely or isolated from the people they once felt closest to as they go through treatment. So, although leaning on your family and friends will be important, you’ll also want to seek out additional forms of support that can help guide you during this time.  

Your medical team will be an asset to you – they can help you understand your diagnosis in more detail so you can be knowledgeable (and therefore more confident) in understanding what you’re dealing with. They’ll also be able to direct you toward your hospital’s support network, including support groups, nutritional or financial counseling, fertility programs, supportive care, and more. Each hospital offers a different collection of support resources, so be sure to do some research before selecting your treatment center.

Finding a strong support group can be a life-changing experience for some, altering the way they approach their cancer diagnosis and giving a sense of empowerment to those dealing with the ailment. Not only do the members of those groups have the real-life experience to truly understand what you’re going through, but many have made it to the end of their treatment and into remission, making them excellent guides for folks who are just getting started. 

Start Your Cancer Journey with the Best Team in the Region 

We know this is an uncertain time for you, so it’s our responsibility to provide as much guidance as possible throughout your journey. Capital Health Cancer Center offers lung cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment plans, each customized for the individual patient to equip them with what they need to fight this battle.

Visit the Capital Health website to learn more about cancer care services, schedule an appointment, or call us at 609-537-6363.