Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is primarily caused by exposure to harmful chemicals (carcinogens) that can destroy DNA and lung tissue. Although the direct cause of lung cancer can vary from person to person, certain risk factors can increase a person’s likelihood of developing the disease.

Risk factors for lung cancer  

Certain factors can increase one’s risk of lung cancer, including:

Smoking  
Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, causing 90% of all lung cancer cases. Cigarette smoke contains harmful substances that damage the cells lining the lung. These changes can eventually develop into lung cancer.  

Radon
Radon exposure is the second-leading cause of lung cancer. This colorless and odorless radioactive gas can be found in soil, and it enters buildings through cracks or small gaps.  

Hazardous chemicals
Exposure to carcinogens — like asbestos, uranium, cadmium, chromium, nickel, and certain petroleum products — can greatly increase your risk of cancer. These chemicals can damage DNA, disrupt normal cell division, and cause lung inflammation.

Particle pollution
Research shows that particulate matter, tiny particles in the air, has been linked to an increased risk of lung cancer. Particulate matter can come from vehicle exhausts, industrial plants, wildfires, and construction sites, just to name a few.  

Family history of lung cancer  
If a family member has or had lung cancer, you might be at a higher risk for the disease.  

Lung Cancer Screening

The only recommended screening for lung cancer is a test called low-dose computed tomography (LDCT). The test is recommended to people who have:

• A 20 pack-year or more smoking history, and
• Smoke now or have quit within the past 15 years, and
• Are between 50 and 80 years old

Finding out you have lung cancer can be difficult to process. It is normal to feel many different emotions and have questions. Our team at Texas Oncology is here to help you understand your diagnosis and navigate the road ahead.  
 

Tests to diagnose lung cancer

Bronchoscopy
During a bronchoscopy, a surgeon inserts a bronchoscope (a thin, lighted tube) through the nose or mouth into the trachea (windpipe) and bronchi (air passages that lead to the lung). Through this tube, the surgeon can examine the inside of the trachea, bronchi, and lung while collecting cells or small tissue samples.

Fine Needle Aspiration
During this procedure, a surgeon inserts a needle through the chest into the cancer to remove a tissue sample for examination under the microscope.

Thoracentesis
During a thoracentesis, a surgeon uses a needle to remove a sample of the fluid that surrounds the lungs in order to check for the presence of cancer cells.

Thoracotomy
A thoracotomy is a major operation, which involves opening the chest in order to diagnose lung cancer.

Sputum Cytology
Sputum cytology is a procedure used to examine mucus that is coughed up from the lungs or breathing tubes. The mucus is examined under a microscope in order to detect cancer cells.

Stages of Lung Cancer

The stages will depend on the type of lung cancer. Some stages will have substages to reflect how advanced the cancer is within that stage and depends on the size of the tumor, where the tumor is located, and whether or not the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.  

Non-small cell lung cancer stages (NSCLC)

Stage 0: Early stage of lung cancer that has only impacted the top lining of the lung or bronchus and has not spread to other areas in the body.

Stage I: This stage is divided into two substages based on the size of the tumor: IA and IB. The cancer has not spread to the lymph nodes or other parts of the body.

Stage II: This stage is also divided into two substages IIA and IIB. At this phase, the tumors have begun to spread to nearby lymph nodes, but have not yet impacted distant organs.  

Stage III: Stage III is divided into IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC. Cancer at this point has spread to the lymph nodes between the lungs.

Stage IV: This is the most advanced form of NSCLC. The cancer has spread to the lining of the lung or other areas of the body.

Small cell lung cancer stages (SCLC)

• Limited is cancer present in only one lung with or without spread to the lymph nodes in the area between the lungs.
• Extensive means the cancer had spread to the tissue outside of the originally affected lung like the opposite lung or distant organs.

Treatments for Lung Cancer

Our lung cancer specialists follow ground-breaking research and the latest treatment guidelines to deliver comprehensive cancer care. They will work with you to discuss your diagnosis, explore treatment options, and help you plan while keeping your priorities and preferences top of mind.  

Lung cancer treatment will vary from patient to patient and will depend on one’s age, medical history, type of lung cancer, extent of the disease, and your tolerance for certain procedures. Below, you will find some common treatments.  

Surgery

Surgery is an option for patients with early-stage lung cancer. The type of surgery will largely depend on the size and location of the tumor, the patient’s overall health, and other factors. Some surgeries include:

• Segmental or wedge resection: A removal of a small part of the lung  
• Lobectomy: Removal of an entire lobe of the lung  
• Pneumonectomy: Removal of the entire lung  
• Sleeve resection: Removal of a piece of bronchus  

Radiation therapy

Using high-energy radiation, radiation therapy shrinks tumors and kills cancer cells. There are two techniques used to deliver radiation therapy: 

• External radiation: Sends high levels of radiation directly to the cancer cells while protecting the surrounding tissue
• Proton therapy: Focuses energy on the tumor with less radiation exposure to the surrounding healthy tissue 

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is administered through an IV and delivered to the entire body to shrink and kill cancer cells.

Immunotherapy 

Immunotherapy utilizes drugs, vaccines, and other therapies to activate the body’s natural defenders to fight cancer. Currently, only three immunotherapy drugs have been approved for NSCLCs: pembrolizumab, atezolizumab, and nivolumab.  

Radiation oncologists use targeted radiation therapy to destroy cancer cells while preserving surrounding healthy tissue. After surgery, a radiation oncologist may deliver targeted radiation to lymph nodes where cancer cells may have spread.

Latest treatment options
Our providers always have a finger-on-the-pulse on the latest research studies and national guidelines. We also offer treatments through clinical trials.  

Care tailored to you
We are equal partners in your care and provide you with all the information you need to make the best decision for you.  

Experts close to home
We make it as easy as possible to access the care you need. With locations across the state, you are likely to find a provider near where you live and work.

Leading expertise
Our specialists trained at leading institutions across the country. They bring their extensive knowledge and skills of treating each case.

Expert Lung Cancer Care, Close to Home

The main function of the lungs is to help the body exchange gases. It delivers oxygen to critical organs while getting rid of carbon dioxide from the body. However, abnormal cell growth in one or both lungs can indicate lung cancer. The majority of lung cancers start out in the bronchial tubes, which are key organs that deliver air to and from the lungs. They can block airways, interfere with the lung expanding, and lead to other complications.  

Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in both men and women in the U.S. In Texas, there are roughly 49 new lung cancer cases for every 100,000 people. No matter what, we are here to provide a plan that is customized to your needs, deliver high-quality care and the latest treatment options, and support you every step of the way.  

Lung Cancer Screening

The only recommended screening for lung cancer is a test called low-dose computed tomography (LDCT). The test is recommended to people who have:

• A 20 pack-year or more smoking history, and
• Smoke now or have quit within the past 15 years, and
• Are between 50 and 80 years old

Finding out you have lung cancer can be difficult to process. It is normal to feel many different emotions and have questions. Our team at Texas Oncology is here to help you understand your diagnosis and navigate the road ahead.  
 

Tests to diagnose lung cancer

Bronchoscopy
During a bronchoscopy, a surgeon inserts a bronchoscope (a thin, lighted tube) through the nose or mouth into the trachea (windpipe) and bronchi (air passages that lead to the lung). Through this tube, the surgeon can examine the inside of the trachea, bronchi, and lung while collecting cells or small tissue samples.

Fine Needle Aspiration
During this procedure, a surgeon inserts a needle through the chest into the cancer to remove a tissue sample for examination under the microscope.

Thoracentesis
During a thoracentesis, a surgeon uses a needle to remove a sample of the fluid that surrounds the lungs in order to check for the presence of cancer cells.

Thoracotomy
A thoracotomy is a major operation, which involves opening the chest in order to diagnose lung cancer.

Sputum Cytology
Sputum cytology is a procedure used to examine mucus that is coughed up from the lungs or breathing tubes. The mucus is examined under a microscope in order to detect cancer cells.

Stages of Lung Cancer

The stages will depend on the type of lung cancer. Some stages will have substages to reflect how advanced the cancer is within that stage and depends on the size of the tumor, where the tumor is located, and whether or not the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.  

Non-small cell lung cancer stages (NSCLC)

Stage 0: Early stage of lung cancer that has only impacted the top lining of the lung or bronchus and has not spread to other areas in the body.

Stage I: This stage is divided into two substages based on the size of the tumor: IA and IB. The cancer has not spread to the lymph nodes or other parts of the body.

Stage II: This stage is also divided into two substages IIA and IIB. At this phase, the tumors have begun to spread to nearby lymph nodes, but have not yet impacted distant organs.  

Stage III: Stage III is divided into IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC. Cancer at this point has spread to the lymph nodes between the lungs.

Stage IV: This is the most advanced form of NSCLC. The cancer has spread to the lining of the lung or other areas of the body.

Small cell lung cancer stages (SCLC)

• Limited is cancer present in only one lung with or without spread to the lymph nodes in the area between the lungs.
• Extensive means the cancer had spread to the tissue outside of the originally affected lung like the opposite lung or distant organs.

Treatments for Lung Cancer

Our lung cancer specialists follow ground-breaking research and the latest treatment guidelines to deliver comprehensive cancer care. They will work with you to discuss your diagnosis, explore treatment options, and help you plan while keeping your priorities and preferences top of mind.  

Lung cancer treatment will vary from patient to patient and will depend on one’s age, medical history, type of lung cancer, extent of the disease, and your tolerance for certain procedures. Below, you will find some common treatments.  

Surgery

Surgery is an option for patients with early-stage lung cancer. The type of surgery will largely depend on the size and location of the tumor, the patient’s overall health, and other factors. Some surgeries include:

• Segmental or wedge resection: A removal of a small part of the lung  
• Lobectomy: Removal of an entire lobe of the lung  
• Pneumonectomy: Removal of the entire lung  
• Sleeve resection: Removal of a piece of bronchus  

Radiation therapy

Using high-energy radiation, radiation therapy shrinks tumors and kills cancer cells. There are two techniques used to deliver radiation therapy: 

• External radiation: Sends high levels of radiation directly to the cancer cells while protecting the surrounding tissue
• Proton therapy: Focuses energy on the tumor with less radiation exposure to the surrounding healthy tissue 

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is administered through an IV and delivered to the entire body to shrink and kill cancer cells.

Immunotherapy 

Immunotherapy utilizes drugs, vaccines, and other therapies to activate the body’s natural defenders to fight cancer. Currently, only three immunotherapy drugs have been approved for NSCLCs: pembrolizumab, atezolizumab, and nivolumab.  

Radiation oncologists use targeted radiation therapy to destroy cancer cells while preserving surrounding healthy tissue. After surgery, a radiation oncologist may deliver targeted radiation to lymph nodes where cancer cells may have spread.

Latest treatment options
Our providers always have a finger-on-the-pulse on the latest research studies and national guidelines. We also offer treatments through clinical trials.  

Care tailored to you
We are equal partners in your care and provide you with all the information you need to make the best decision for you.  

Experts close to home
We make it as easy as possible to access the care you need. With locations across the state, you are likely to find a provider near where you live and work.

Leading expertise
Our specialists trained at leading institutions across the country. They bring their extensive knowledge and skills of treating each case.