Lung cancer starts when cells in the lungs start to grow out of control resulting in a mass of abnormal cells. Lung cancer can spread to lymph nodes and other organs.
What is lung cancer?
Lung cancer, like other cancers, forms when cells in the body begin to grow out of control. The numerous cells form tumors that invade and destroy healthy tissue. There are two main types of lung cancer: small cell and non-small cell, which is the slower growing of the two.
Signs and symptoms of lung cancer include:
- A persistent cough
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Hoarse voice
- Weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue
If you’re noticing any of these symptoms of lung cancer, talk with a doctor. Early detection of lung cancer is key. When caught early, your care team can use treatments that are less aggressive and less invasive. You’ll experience improved survival rates, reduced risk of recurrence, and better quality of life. Your AHN care team is here to help.
Lung and Pleural Cancer Center of Excellence
The AHN Lung and Pleural Center of Excellence is where innovation and compassion merge. Our team of doctors, nurses, and specialists use pioneering radiation therapy options and immunotherapy. At AHN, you have a team that works together across specialties to ensure your unique needs are being met.
AHN's Commitment to Excellence in Lung Cancer Care
AHN is committed to providing the highest quality of care to patients with lung cancer. Our team of experts has extensive experience in diagnosing and treating this rare cancer. We offer a variety of treatment options, including:
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Targeted therapy
- Immunotherapy
We also offer a variety of support services to help patients and their families cope with the challenges of lung cancer. These services include:
- Social work: Social workers can help patients and their families with financial assistance, transportation, and other practical needs.
- Nutrition counseling: Nutrition counselors can help patients maintain a healthy diet during treatment.
- Palliative care: Palliative care teams can help patients manage pain and other symptoms of lung cancer.
AHN is dedicated to providing the best possible care to patients with lung cancer. We’re committed to helping our patients live longer, healthier lives.
Lung cancer symptoms and signs
Early-stage lung cancer signs and symptoms can be hard to spot. The most common symptoms include a prolonged cough that doesn’t go away, coughing up blood or rust-colored spit, chest pain, hoarseness, loss of appetite, and changes to fingers. It’s important to talk with your doctor if you notice any of these symptoms.
Changes in fingers and nails
A surprising place lung cancer can show symptoms is in the fingers and nails. Known as finger clubbing or lung cancer nails, these conditions can be associated with the disease.
Finger clubbing is where the tips of fingers become enlarged and rounded. It can be caused by not only lung cancer, but heart and liver disease.
Lung cancer nails, or nail clubbing, happen when the nails curve up — picture an upside-down spoon — or appear wider or swollen. The nails might also feel soft and sponge-like, be warm to the touch, or look red.
Finger clubbing and lung cancer nails could detect early-stage lung cancer, so if you notice any of these, contact your doctor to talk through your concerns.
Lung cancer risk factors
Since lung cancer doesn’t have many symptoms early on in the disease, it’s important to know the top lung cancer risk factors.
- Smoking: Smoking cigarettes — at any point of your life — increases your risk of lung cancer. Smoking is the leading risk factor for lung cancer. Being exposed to secondhand smoke also increases your risk for lung cancer.
- Radon gas: Radon is a radioactive, naturally occurring gas that is emitted from the breakdown of uranium in soil. It is the second-leading cause of lung cancer. It can enter in through cracks in homes or buildings, and when there’s exposure in high concentration, it can cause lung cancer.
- Asbestos: Asbestos is a mineral that was once used in many building materials. Breathing in asbestos fibers can cause lung cancer and pleural mesothelioma.
- Exposure to pollution and chemicals: Air pollution, especially from diesel exhaust, can increase your risk of lung cancer.
Lung cancer screening and diagnosis
Screening for lung cancer, especially if you have higher risk factors, is critical to early diagnosis. There are safe, effective, and innovative treatments at AHN that can help you and your care team get the full picture of your health.
A low-dose compute tomography or LDCT is used to screen for lung cancer in people who are at high risk, such as those who smoke, have smoked or have a history of lung cancer. There is no prep work for an LDCT, and it is safe, painless — taking only 15 minutes to complete.
LDCT results
An LDCT (sometimes called a lo