Lung cancer is a type of cancer that starts in your lungs. Your lungs are two organs in your chest that you use to breathe. They add oxygen to your blood.
Lung cancer is one of the most common types of cancer and the leading cause of cancer deaths according to the National Cancer Institute. It’s most often found in people who smoke, though it can develop in people who have never smoked. Quitting smoking lowers your risk of lung cancer.
By understanding the condition, you can make better decisions about your care and treatment. Being aware of symptoms and having lung cancer screening if you’re at risk can help spot lung cancer early when there are more treatment options and treatment is more likely to be successful.
Pulmonologists - doctors who focus on lung diseases and the respiratory system - diagnose lung cancer. If you’re diagnosed with lung cancer, your care team may include thoracic surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, nurses, dietitians, counselors or therapists and other health care providers.
Risk factors like smoking, being exposed to certain chemicals and a family history of lung cancer can increase your risk. Since some of these risk factors are within your control, you can take steps to reduce your risk of lung cancer.
Learn more about lung cancer risk factors and prevention.
Symptoms can include a persistent cough, chest pain, shortness of breath and more. Several different types of lung cancer may cause these symptoms.
Learn more about the symptoms and types of lung cancer.
Diagnosing lung cancer usually involves imaging scans and biopsies. By understanding these tests and what to expect, you may feel less anxious and more prepared for the process.
Learn more about lung cancer testing and diagnosis.
Treatment options for lung cancer may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and/or targeted therapies. Support can also help in your treatment journey.
Learn more about lung cancer treatment and support.
A lung nodule is an abnormal growth in the lung that could be benign (noncancerous) or cancerous. With Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center’s innovative Lung Nodule Program, we identify and monitor lung nodules. Using some of the most robust early diagnostic technology available, we may identify cancerous nodules when they are treatable.
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