Lung Cancer

Lung cancer risks and symptoms

Lung cancer occurs when cells in the lungs begin to grow and multiply uncontrollably, usually along the air passages. Lung cancer is the second most common cancer and accounts for 25% of all cancer deaths in the U.S., making it the leading cause of cancer deaths among men and women.

There are several types of lung cancer, but the most common are non-small cell lung cancer (NSCL) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). NSCL is the most common and occurs mostly in smokers, but is also the most common type of lung cancer in non-smokers. SCLC tends to grow and spread faster than NSCL and has a higher chance of returning later in the patient’s life.

The leading cause of lung cancer is smoking tobacco, but other factors can contribute to a person developing lung cancer. In addition, lung cancer can also occur in individuals who have never smoked. Lung cancer risk factors encompass a variety of environmental, lifestyle, and genetic elements that can increase your likelihood of developing the disease. This includes:

• Air pollution
• Arsenic in drinking water
• Asbestos exposure
• Certain dietary supplements
• Chemicals or carcinogens in the workplace
• Personal or family history of lung cancer
• Previous radiation therapy to the lungs
• Radon exposure
• Secondhand smoke
• Smoking tobacco

Lung cancer often remains asymptomatic in its early stages, but as the disease progresses, symptoms can become more apparent. These symptoms vary widely from person to person but typically include the following:

• Chest pain that worsens with deep breaths, coughing or laughing
• Cough that won’t go away or worsens
• Coughing up blood
• Fatigue
• Hoarseness
• Loss of appetite
• Persistent bronchitis or pneumonia
• Recurring infections like bronchitis or pneumonia
• Shortness of breath
• Unexplained weight loss
• Wheezing

As lung cancer spreads, other symptoms can arise, including bone pain, yellowing of the skin, swollen lymph nodes in the neck and collarbone, or nervous system changes (including balance problems and seizures). If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor about scheduling a lung cancer screening.

Lung cancer screenings

For patients at risk for lung cancer, a low dose computerized tomography scan (LDCT) can be performed to find any abnormal areas in the lungs that may be cancerous. For those at higher risk, it’s recommended to receive a LDCT scan annually for the best chance of finding cancers before symptoms start.

If a nodule is found during the LDCT, your doctor may recommend more imaging tests to get a better look or to see how it’s moving or growing overtime. Depending on the findings, the doctor may also recommend a biopsy to get a sample of the tissue to determine if it’s cancerous. Your doctor will walk you through every step and keep you informed.

Lung nodule scanning is available at UT Health East Texas facilities in:

• Athens
• Henderson
• Jacksonville
• Pittsburg
• Quitman
• Tyler

To learn more or schedule an appointment, call: UT Health East Texas Pulmonary Institute at North Campus Tyler at 903-877-7916 or UT Health East Texas Pulmonary Institute at S. Fleishel – a department of UT Health Tyler – at 903-592-6901.

Lung cancer treatment

Should you receive a positive lung cancer diagnosis, your doctor will present your case to a tumor board. This board is composed of doctors who diagnose and treat cancer, and may include specialists like radiologists, pathologists, surgeons, radiation therapists, oncologists and geneticists.

Together, the tumor board will review your case and agree on the appropriate treatment for you. Presenting each case at a tumor boards conference helps to provide each patient with the best treatment plan for their individual needs. It also helps to limit the number of times a patient goes to the operating room.

Our treatment options include:

• Chemotherapy
• Immunotherapy
• Radiation therapy
• Surgery

Your doctor will discuss treatment options with you and answer any questions you may have.

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