Lung Cancer

Lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, starts as a tumor in the lung and can metastasize to other organs in the body. Smoking is the most common cause of lung cancer, though it is possible for those who have never smoked to develop the disease. Depending on the stage and specific type of lung cancer, it can be treated with chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, and targeted therapies.

Common Questions & Answers

What are the symptoms of lung cancer?

Symptoms of lung cancer include a persistent cough, coughing up blood, shortness of breath, chest pain, hoarseness, and losing weight without trying to.

It is recommended that people age 50 to 80 who have smoked the equivalent of one pack of cigarettes a day for at least two decades get a low-dose computed tomography (CT) scan every year, whether they still smoke or have stopped.

Lung cancer can spread, or metastasize, to the brain, bones, and liver. Lung cancer that has spread is called metastatic lung cancer.

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Resources
  1. Lung Cancer Basics. American Lung Association.

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