BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuNon-small cell lung cancerCancer - lung - non-small cell; Non-small cell lung cancer; NSCLC; Adenocarcinoma - lung; Squamous cell carcinoma - lung; Large cell carcinoma - lungNon-small cell lung cancer is the most common type of lung cancer. It usually grows and spreads more slowly than small cell lung cancer.Lung cancerLung cancer is cancer that starts in the lungs. The lungs are located in the chest. When you breathe, air goes through your nose, down your windpipe...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Small cell lung cancerSmall cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a fast-growing type of lung cancer. It spreads much more quickly than non-small cell lung cancer. There are two typ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article There are three common types of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC):Adenocarcinomas are often found in an outer area of the lung. Squamous cell carcinomas are usually found in the center of the lung next to an air tube (bronchus). Large cell carcinomas can occur in any part of the lung. There are more uncommon types of lung cancer that are also called non-small. Causes Smoking causes most cases (around 90%) of non-small cell lung cancer. The risk depends on the number of cigarettes you smoke each day and for how long you have smoked. Being around the smoke from other people (secondhand smoke) also raises your risk of lung cancer. But some people who have never smoked do develop lung cancer.Related video goes here for no-HTML5 browsersResearch shows that smoking marijuana may help cancer cells grow. But there is no direct link between smoking marijuana and developing lung cancer.Constant exposure to high levels of air pollution and drinking water that has a high level of arsenic can increase your risk of lung cancer. A history of radiation therapy to the lungs can also increase risk.Working with or living near cancer-causing chemicals or materials can also increase the risk of developing lung cancer. Such chemicals include:Asbestos Radon Chemicals such as uranium, beryllium, vinyl chloride, nickel chromates, coal products, mustard gas, chloromethyl ethers, gasoline, and diesel exhaust Certain alloys, paints, pigments, and preservatives Products using chloride and formaldehyde Symptoms Symptoms may include:Chest pain Chest painChest pain is discomfort or pain that you feel anywhere along the front of your body between your neck and upper abdomen.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Cough that does not go away CoughCoughing is an important way to keep your throat and airways clear. But too much coughing may mean you have a disease or disorder. Some coughs are d...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Coughing up blood Coughing up bloodCoughing up blood is the spitting up of blood or bloody mucus from the lungs and throat (respiratory tract). Hemoptysis is the medical term for cough...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Fatigue Loss of appetite Loss of appetiteA decreased appetite is when your desire to eat is reduced. The medical term for a loss of appetite is anorexia.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Losing weight without trying Losing weight without tryingUnexplained weight loss is a decrease in body weight, when you did not try to lose the weight on your own. Many people gain and lose weight. Uninten...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Shortness of breath Shortness of breathBreathing difficulty may involve:Difficult breathing Uncomfortable breathingFeeling like you are not getting enough airImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Wheezing WheezingWheezing is a high-pitched whistling sound during breathing. It occurs when air moves through narrowed breathing tubes in the lungs.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Pain when it spreads to other areas of the body Early lung cancer may not cause any symptoms.Other symptoms that may be due to NSCLC, often in the late stages:Bone pain or tenderness Bone pain or tendernessBone pain or tenderness is aching or other discomfort in one or more bones.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Eyelid drooping Eyelid droopingPtosis (eyelid drooping) in infants and children is when the upper eyelid is lower than it should be. This may occur in one or both eyes. Eyelid dr...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Hoarseness or changing voice Hoarseness or changing voiceHoarseness refers to a difficulty making sounds when trying to speak. Vocal sounds may be weak, breathy, scratchy, or husky, and the pitch or qualit...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Joint pain Joint painJoint pain can affect one or more joints.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Nail problems Nail problemsNail abnormalities are problems with the color, shape, texture, or thickness of the fingernails or toenails.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Swallowing difficulty Swallowing difficultyDifficulty with swallowing is the feeling that food or liquid is stuck in the throat or at any point before the food enters the stomach. This proble...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Swelling of the face Swelling of the faceFacial swelling is the buildup of fluid in the tissues of the face. Swelling may also affect the neck and upper arms.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Weakness WeaknessWeakness is reduced strength in one or more muscles.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Shoulder pain or weakness These symptoms can be due to other, less serious conditions. It is important to talk to your health care provider if you have symptoms. Exams and Tests The provider will perform a physical exam and ask about your medical history. You will be asked if you smoke, and if so, how much you smoke and for how long you have smoked. You will also be asked about other things that may have put you at risk of lung cancer, such as exposure to certain chemicals.Tests that may be done to diagnose lung cancer or see if it has spread include:Bone scan Bone scanA bone scan is an imaging test used to diagnose bone diseases and find out how severe they are.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Chest x-ray Chest x-rayA chest x-ray is an x-ray of the chest, lungs, heart, large arteries, ribs, and diaphragm.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Complete blood count (CBC) CBCA complete blood count (CBC) test measures the following:The number of red blood cells (RBC count)The number of white blood cells (WBC count)The tota...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article CT scan of the chest CT scan of the chestA chest CT (computed tomography) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create cross-sectional pictures of the chest and upper abdomen....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article MRI of the chest MRI of the chestA chest MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan is an imaging test that uses powerful magnetic fields and radio waves to create pictures of the chest (...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Positron emission tomography (PET) scan PETA positron emission tomography scan is a type of imaging test. It uses a radioactive substance called a tracer to look for disease in the body. A po...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Sputum test to look for cancer cells Sputum testRoutine sputum culture is a laboratory test that looks for germs that cause infection. Sputum is the material that comes up from air passages when y...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Thoracentesis (sampling of fluid buildup around the lung)ThoracentesisThoracentesis is a procedure to remove fluid from the space between the lining of the outside of the lungs (pleura) and the wall of the chest....Read Article Now Book Mark Article In most cases, a piece of tissue is removed from your lungs for examination under a microscope. This is called a biopsy. There are several ways to do this:Bronchoscopy combined with biopsy BronchoscopyBronchoscopy is a test to view the airways and diagnose lung disease. It may also be used during the treatment of some lung conditions.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article BiopsyA biopsy is the removal of a small piece of tissue for laboratory examination.Read Article Now Book Mark Article CT-scan-directed needle biopsy CT-scan-directed needle biopsyA lung needle biopsy is a method to remove a piece of lung tissue for examination. If it is done through the wall of your chest, it is called a tran...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Endoscopic esophageal ultrasound (EUS) with biopsy Mediastinoscopy with biopsy Mediastinoscopy with biopsyMediastinoscopy with biopsy is a procedure in which a lighted instrument (mediastinoscope) is inserted in the space in the chest between the lungs (m...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Open lung biopsy Open lung biopsyAn open lung biopsy is surgery to remove a small piece of tissue from the lung. The sample is then examined for cancer, infection, or lung disease....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Pleural biopsyPleural biopsyPleural biopsy is a procedure to remove a sample of the pleura. This is the thin tissue that lines the chest cavity and surrounds the lungs. The bi...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article If the biopsy shows cancer, more imaging tests are done to find out the stage of the cancer. Stage means how big the tumor is and how far it has spread. NSCLC is divided into 5 stages:Stage 0 -- The cancer has not spread beyond the inner lining of the lung. Stage I -- The cancer is small and has not spread to the lymph nodes. Stage II -- The cancer has spread to some lymph nodes near the original tumor. Stage III -- The cancer has spread to nearby tissue or to far away lymph nodes. Stage IV -- The cancer has spread to other organs of the body, such as the other lung, brain, or liver. Treatment There are many different types of treatment for NSCLC. Treatment depends on the stage of the cancer.Surgery is the common treatment for NSCLC that has not spread beyond nearby lymph nodes. The surgeon may remove:One of the lobes of the lung (lobectomy) Only a small part of the lung (wedge or segment removal) The entire lung (pneumonectomy) Some people need chemotherapy. Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells and stop new cells from growing. Treatment may be done in the following ways:ChemotherapyThe term chemotherapy is used to describe cancer-killing drugs. Chemotherapy may be used to:Cure the cancer Shrink the cancerPrevent the cancer from...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Chemotherapy alone is often used when the cancer has spread outside the lung (stage IV). It may also be given before surgery or radiation to make those treatments more effective. This is called neoadjuvant therapy. It may be given after surgery to kill any remaining cancer. This is called adjuvant therapy. Chemotherapy is usually given through a vein (by IV). Or, it may be given by pills. Controlling symptoms and preventing complications during and after chemotherapy is an important part of care.During and after chemotherapyYou had chemotherapy treatment for your cancer. Your risk for infection, bleeding, and skin problems may be high. To stay healthy after chemotherap...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Immunotherapy is the newer kind of treatment that can be given by itself or with chemotherapy.ImmunotherapyImmunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that relies on the body's infection-fighting system (immune system). It uses substances made by the body...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Targeted therapy may be used to treat NSCLC. Targeted therapy uses drugs zero in on specific targets (molecules) in or on cancer cells. These targets play a role in how cancer cells grow and survive. Using these targets, the drug disables the cancer cells so they cannot spread.Targeted therapyTargeted therapy uses drugs to stop cancer from growing and spreading. It does this with less harm to normal cells than other treatments. Standard ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Radiation therapy can be used with chemotherapy if surgery is not possible. Radiation therapy uses powerful x-rays or other forms of radiation to kill cancer cells. Radiation may be used to:Radiation therapyRadiation therapy uses high-powered x-rays, particles, or radioactive seeds to kill cancer cells.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treat the cancer, along with chemotherapy, if surgery is not possible Help relieve symptoms caused by the cancer, such as breathing problems and swelling Help relieve cancer pain when the cancer has spread to the bones Controlling symptoms during and after radiation to the chest is an important part of care.During and after radiation to the chestWhen you have radiation treatment for cancer, your body goes through changes. Follow your health care provider's instructions on how to care for you...Read Article Now Book Mark Article The following treatments are mostly used to relieve symptoms caused by NSCLC:Laser therapy -- A small beam of light burns and kills cancer cells. Photodynamic therapy -- Uses a light to activate a drug in the body, which kills cancer cells. Support Groups You can ease the stress of illness by joining a support group. Sharing with others who have common experiences and problems can help you not feel alone.Support groupThe following organizations are good resources for information on cancer:American Cancer Society -- www. cancer. orgAmerican Childhood Cancer Organiz...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Outlook (Prognosis) The outlook varies. Most often, NSCLC grows slowly. In some cases, it can grow and spread quickly and cause rapid death. The cancer may spread to other parts of the body, including the bone, liver, small intestine, and brain.Chemotherapy has been shown to prolong life and improve the quality of life in some people with stage IV NSCLC.Cure rates are related to the stage of disease and whether you are able to have surgery.Stage I and II cancers have the highest survival and cure rates. Stage III cancer can be cured in some cases. Stage IV cancer that has returned is almost never cured. The goals of therapy are to extend and improve quality of life. When to Contact a Medical Professional Call your provider if you have symptoms of lung cancer, particularly if you smoke. Prevention If you smoke, now is the time to quit. If you are having trouble quitting, talk with your provider. There are many methods to help you quit, from support groups to prescription medicines. Also, try to avoid secondhand smoke.Support groupsIt is hard to quit smoking if you are acting alone. Smokers usually have a much better chance of quitting with a support program. Stop smoking prog...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Prescription medicinesNicotine replacement therapy is a treatment to help people stop smoking. It uses products that supply low doses of nicotine. These products do not ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article If you are age 50 to 80 years old, have a 20 pack-year smoking history, and either currently smoke or used to smoke within the last 15 years, talk with your provider about getting screened for lung cancer. To get screened, you need to have a CT scan of the chest.Open ReferencesReferencesAraujo LH, Horn L, Merritt RE, Shilo K, Xu-Welliver M, Carbone DP. Cancer of the lung: non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer. In: Niederhuber JE, Armitage JO, Kastan MB, Doroshow JH, Tepper JE, eds. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 69.Ettinger DS, Wood DE, Aggarwal C, et al. NCCN guidelines insights: non-small cell lung cancer, version 1.2020. J Natl Compr Canc Netw. 2019;17(12):1464-1472. PMID: 31805526. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31805526/.National Cancer Institute website. Non-small cell lung cancer treatment (PDQ) - health professional version. www.cancer.gov/types/lung/hp/non-small-cell-lung-treatment-pdq. Updated July 12, 2021. Accessed August 2, 2021.Rivera MP, Mody GN, Weiner AA. Lung cancer: treatment. In: Broaddus VC, Ernst JD, King TE et al, eds. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 77.US Preventive Services Task Force website. Final recommendation statement. Lung cancer: screening. www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/lung-cancer-screening. Updated March 9, 2021. Accessed August 2, 2021.AllVideoImagesTogLung cancerAnimation Related video goes here for no-HTML5 browsersLung cancer - Animation Cancer can affect just about any part of the body, from the colon to the pancreas. Some cancers grow quickly, while others grow more slowly and are easier to treat. But of all the different cancers out there, one of the deadliest is lung cancer. Let's talk today about lung cancer. Cancer starts when cells begin to grow uncontrollably and form tumors. In the case of lung cancer, the tumors start in the lungs. Sometimes cancer starts somewhere else in the body and then spreads to the lungs. In that case, it's called metastatic cancer to the lung. Metastatic means disease that has spread. There are two types of lung cancer. The most common, and slower-growing form is non-small cell lung cancer. The other, faster-growing form is called small cell lung cancer. The most common way to get lung cancer is to smoke cigarettes. The more cigarettes you smoke and the earlier you start smoking, the greater your risk is. Even being around someone who smokes and breathing in the secondhand smoke from their cigarettes increases your risk of getting lung cancer. Even though smoking makes you much more likely to get lung cancer, you don't have to smoke or be exposed to smoke to get the disease. Some people who have lung cancer never lit up a cigarette in their life. They have been exposed to cancer-causing substances like asbestos, diesel fumes, arsenic, radiation, or radon gas. Or, they may not have had any known lung cancer risks. The most common signs of lung cancer are a cough that won't go away, chest pain, shortness of breath, weight loss, and fatigue. But just because you have these symptoms it doesn't mean that you have don't have lung cancer. These can also be signs of other conditions, like asthma or a respiratory infection. If you do have these symptoms, see your doctor. A chest x-ray, MRI, or CT scan can view the inside of your lungs to look for signs of cancer or other diseases. What happens if you do have lung cancer? Doctors divide lung cancer into stages. The higher the stage, the more the cancer has spread. For example, a stage 1 cancer is small and hasn't spread outside of the lungs. A stage 4 cancer has spread to the other organs, such as the kidneys or brain. Depending upon the type and stage of your lung cancer, you may need surgery to remove part or all of your lung. Or, your doctor may recommend radiation or chemotherapy to kill cancer cells. If you have lung cancer, how well you do depends upon the stage of your disease and the type of lung cancer that you have. Early-stage cancers have the highest survival and cure rates. Late-stage cancers are harder to treat. Because lung cancer can be so deadly, prevention is key. The most important that thing you can do is to stop smoking, and avoid being around anyone who does smoke.Lungs - illustration The major features of the lungs include the bronchi, the bronchioles and the alveoli. The alveoli are the microscopic blood vessel-lined sacks in which oxygen and carbon dioxide gas are exchanged.LungsillustrationSecondhand smoke and lung cancer - illustration Secondhand smoke has been classified as a known cause of lung cancer in humans (Group A carcinogen).Secondhand smoke and lung cancerillustrationLung cancerAnimation Related video goes here for no-HTML5 browsersLung cancer - Animation Cancer can affect just about any part of the body, from the colon to the pancreas. Some cancers grow quickly, while others grow more slowly and are easier to treat. But of all the different cancers out there, one of the deadliest is lung cancer. Let's talk today about lung cancer. Cancer starts when cells begin to grow uncontrollably and form tumors. In the case of lung cancer, the tumors start in the lungs. Sometimes cancer starts somewhere else in the body and then spreads to the lungs. In that case, it's called metastatic cancer to the lung. Metastatic means disease that has spread. There are two types of lung cancer. The most common, and slower-growing form is non-small cell lung cancer. The other, faster-growing form is called small cell lung cancer. The most common way to get lung cancer is to smoke cigarettes. The more cigarettes you smoke and the earlier you start smoking, the greater your risk is. Even being around someone who smokes and breathing in the secondhand smoke from their cigarettes increases your risk of getting lung cancer. Even though smoking makes you much more likely to get lung cancer, you don't have to smoke or be exposed to smoke to get the disease. Some people who have lung cancer never lit up a cigarette in their life. They have been exposed to cancer-causing substances like asbestos, diesel fumes, arsenic, radiation, or radon gas. Or, they may not have had any known lung cancer risks. The most common signs of lung cancer are a cough that won't go away, chest pain, shortness of breath, weight loss, and fatigue. But just because you have these symptoms it doesn't mean that you have don't have lung cancer. These can also be signs of other conditions, like asthma or a respiratory infection. If you do have these symptoms, see your doctor. A chest x-ray, MRI, or CT scan can view the inside of your lungs to look for signs of cancer or other diseases. What happens if you do have lung cancer? Doctors divide lung cancer into stages. The higher the stage, the more the cancer has spread. For example, a stage 1 cancer is small and hasn't spread outside of the lungs. A stage 4 cancer has spread to the other organs, such as the kidneys or brain. Depending upon the type and stage of your lung cancer, you may need surgery to remove part or all of your lung. Or, your doctor may recommend radiation or chemotherapy to kill cancer cells. If you have lung cancer, how well you do depends upon the stage of your disease and the type of lung cancer that you have. Early-stage cancers have the highest survival and cure rates. Late-stage cancers are harder to treat. Because lung cancer can be so deadly, prevention is key. The most important that thing you can do is to stop smoking, and avoid being around anyone who does smoke.Lungs - illustration The major features of the lungs include the bronchi, the bronchioles and the alveoli. The alveoli are the microscopic blood vessel-lined sacks in which oxygen and carbon dioxide gas are exchanged.LungsillustrationSecondhand smoke and lung cancer - illustration Secondhand smoke has been classified as a known cause of lung cancer in humans (Group A carcinogen).Secondhand smoke and lung cancerillustrationA Closer Look Non-small cell lung cancer(In-Depth)Lung cancer(Alt. Medicine)Breast cancer(In-Depth)Melanoma and other skin cancers(In-Depth)Prostate cancer(In-Depth)Breast cancer(Alt. Medicine)Sickle cell disease(In-Depth)Colon and rectal cancers(In-Depth)Green tea(Alt. Medicine)Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma(In-Depth)Related Information Tumor(Condition)Lung cancer - small cell(Condition)Lung cancer(Condition)Lung surgery - discharge (Discharge)Chest radiation - discharge(Discharge)Non-small cell lung cancer(In-Depth) Review Date: 2/11/2020 Reviewed By: Mark Levin, MD, Hematologist and Oncologist, Farmington, CT. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. Editorial update 09/28/2021. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
Non-small cell lung cancerCancer - lung - non-small cell; Non-small cell lung cancer; NSCLC; Adenocarcinoma - lung; Squamous cell carcinoma - lung; Large cell carcinoma - lungNon-small cell lung cancer is the most common type of lung cancer. It usually grows and spreads more slowly than small cell lung cancer.Lung cancerLung cancer is cancer that starts in the lungs. The lungs are located in the chest. When you breathe, air goes through your nose, down your windpipe...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Small cell lung cancerSmall cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a fast-growing type of lung cancer. It spreads much more quickly than non-small cell lung cancer. There are two typ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article There are three common types of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC):Adenocarcinomas are often found in an outer area of the lung. Squamous cell carcinomas are usually found in the center of the lung next to an air tube (bronchus). Large cell carcinomas can occur in any part of the lung. There are more uncommon types of lung cancer that are also called non-small. Causes Smoking causes most cases (around 90%) of non-small cell lung cancer. The risk depends on the number of cigarettes you smoke each day and for how long you have smoked. Being around the smoke from other people (secondhand smoke) also raises your risk of lung cancer. But some people who have never smoked do develop lung cancer.Related video goes here for no-HTML5 browsersResearch shows that smoking marijuana may help cancer cells grow. But there is no direct link between smoking marijuana and developing lung cancer.Constant exposure to high levels of air pollution and drinking water that has a high level of arsenic can increase your risk of lung cancer. A history of radiation therapy to the lungs can also increase risk.Working with or living near cancer-causing chemicals or materials can also increase the risk of developing lung cancer. Such chemicals include:Asbestos Radon Chemicals such as uranium, beryllium, vinyl chloride, nickel chromates, coal products, mustard gas, chloromethyl ethers, gasoline, and diesel exhaust Certain alloys, paints, pigments, and preservatives Products using chloride and formaldehyde Symptoms Symptoms may include:Chest pain Chest painChest pain is discomfort or pain that you feel anywhere along the front of your body between your neck and upper abdomen.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Cough that does not go away CoughCoughing is an important way to keep your throat and airways clear. But too much coughing may mean you have a disease or disorder. Some coughs are d...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Coughing up blood Coughing up bloodCoughing up blood is the spitting up of blood or bloody mucus from the lungs and throat (respiratory tract). Hemoptysis is the medical term for cough...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Fatigue Loss of appetite Loss of appetiteA decreased appetite is when your desire to eat is reduced. The medical term for a loss of appetite is anorexia.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Losing weight without trying Losing weight without tryingUnexplained weight loss is a decrease in body weight, when you did not try to lose the weight on your own. Many people gain and lose weight. Uninten...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Shortness of breath Shortness of breathBreathing difficulty may involve:Difficult breathing Uncomfortable breathingFeeling like you are not getting enough airImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Wheezing WheezingWheezing is a high-pitched whistling sound during breathing. It occurs when air moves through narrowed breathing tubes in the lungs.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Pain when it spreads to other areas of the body Early lung cancer may not cause any symptoms.Other symptoms that may be due to NSCLC, often in the late stages:Bone pain or tenderness Bone pain or tendernessBone pain or tenderness is aching or other discomfort in one or more bones.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Eyelid drooping Eyelid droopingPtosis (eyelid drooping) in infants and children is when the upper eyelid is lower than it should be. This may occur in one or both eyes. Eyelid dr...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Hoarseness or changing voice Hoarseness or changing voiceHoarseness refers to a difficulty making sounds when trying to speak. Vocal sounds may be weak, breathy, scratchy, or husky, and the pitch or qualit...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Joint pain Joint painJoint pain can affect one or more joints.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Nail problems Nail problemsNail abnormalities are problems with the color, shape, texture, or thickness of the fingernails or toenails.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Swallowing difficulty Swallowing difficultyDifficulty with swallowing is the feeling that food or liquid is stuck in the throat or at any point before the food enters the stomach. This proble...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Swelling of the face Swelling of the faceFacial swelling is the buildup of fluid in the tissues of the face. Swelling may also affect the neck and upper arms.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Weakness WeaknessWeakness is reduced strength in one or more muscles.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Shoulder pain or weakness These symptoms can be due to other, less serious conditions. It is important to talk to your health care provider if you have symptoms. Exams and Tests The provider will perform a physical exam and ask about your medical history. You will be asked if you smoke, and if so, how much you smoke and for how long you have smoked. You will also be asked about other things that may have put you at risk of lung cancer, such as exposure to certain chemicals.Tests that may be done to diagnose lung cancer or see if it has spread include:Bone scan Bone scanA bone scan is an imaging test used to diagnose bone diseases and find out how severe they are.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Chest x-ray Chest x-rayA chest x-ray is an x-ray of the chest, lungs, heart, large arteries, ribs, and diaphragm.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Complete blood count (CBC) CBCA complete blood count (CBC) test measures the following:The number of red blood cells (RBC count)The number of white blood cells (WBC count)The tota...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article CT scan of the chest CT scan of the chestA chest CT (computed tomography) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create cross-sectional pictures of the chest and upper abdomen....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article MRI of the chest MRI of the chestA chest MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan is an imaging test that uses powerful magnetic fields and radio waves to create pictures of the chest (...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Positron emission tomography (PET) scan PETA positron emission tomography scan is a type of imaging test. It uses a radioactive substance called a tracer to look for disease in the body. A po...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Sputum test to look for cancer cells Sputum testRoutine sputum culture is a laboratory test that looks for germs that cause infection. Sputum is the material that comes up from air passages when y...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Thoracentesis (sampling of fluid buildup around the lung)ThoracentesisThoracentesis is a procedure to remove fluid from the space between the lining of the outside of the lungs (pleura) and the wall of the chest....Read Article Now Book Mark Article In most cases, a piece of tissue is removed from your lungs for examination under a microscope. This is called a biopsy. There are several ways to do this:Bronchoscopy combined with biopsy BronchoscopyBronchoscopy is a test to view the airways and diagnose lung disease. It may also be used during the treatment of some lung conditions.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article BiopsyA biopsy is the removal of a small piece of tissue for laboratory examination.Read Article Now Book Mark Article CT-scan-directed needle biopsy CT-scan-directed needle biopsyA lung needle biopsy is a method to remove a piece of lung tissue for examination. If it is done through the wall of your chest, it is called a tran...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Endoscopic esophageal ultrasound (EUS) with biopsy Mediastinoscopy with biopsy Mediastinoscopy with biopsyMediastinoscopy with biopsy is a procedure in which a lighted instrument (mediastinoscope) is inserted in the space in the chest between the lungs (m...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Open lung biopsy Open lung biopsyAn open lung biopsy is surgery to remove a small piece of tissue from the lung. The sample is then examined for cancer, infection, or lung disease....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Pleural biopsyPleural biopsyPleural biopsy is a procedure to remove a sample of the pleura. This is the thin tissue that lines the chest cavity and surrounds the lungs. The bi...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article If the biopsy shows cancer, more imaging tests are done to find out the stage of the cancer. Stage means how big the tumor is and how far it has spread. NSCLC is divided into 5 stages:Stage 0 -- The cancer has not spread beyond the inner lining of the lung. Stage I -- The cancer is small and has not spread to the lymph nodes. Stage II -- The cancer has spread to some lymph nodes near the original tumor. Stage III -- The cancer has spread to nearby tissue or to far away lymph nodes. Stage IV -- The cancer has spread to other organs of the body, such as the other lung, brain, or liver. Treatment There are many different types of treatment for NSCLC. Treatment depends on the stage of the cancer.Surgery is the common treatment for NSCLC that has not spread beyond nearby lymph nodes. The surgeon may remove:One of the lobes of the lung (lobectomy) Only a small part of the lung (wedge or segment removal) The entire lung (pneumonectomy) Some people need chemotherapy. Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells and stop new cells from growing. Treatment may be done in the following ways:ChemotherapyThe term chemotherapy is used to describe cancer-killing drugs. Chemotherapy may be used to:Cure the cancer Shrink the cancerPrevent the cancer from...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Chemotherapy alone is often used when the cancer has spread outside the lung (stage IV). It may also be given before surgery or radiation to make those treatments more effective. This is called neoadjuvant therapy. It may be given after surgery to kill any remaining cancer. This is called adjuvant therapy. Chemotherapy is usually given through a vein (by IV). Or, it may be given by pills. Controlling symptoms and preventing complications during and after chemotherapy is an important part of care.During and after chemotherapyYou had chemotherapy treatment for your cancer. Your risk for infection, bleeding, and skin problems may be high. To stay healthy after chemotherap...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Immunotherapy is the newer kind of treatment that can be given by itself or with chemotherapy.ImmunotherapyImmunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that relies on the body's infection-fighting system (immune system). It uses substances made by the body...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Targeted therapy may be used to treat NSCLC. Targeted therapy uses drugs zero in on specific targets (molecules) in or on cancer cells. These targets play a role in how cancer cells grow and survive. Using these targets, the drug disables the cancer cells so they cannot spread.Targeted therapyTargeted therapy uses drugs to stop cancer from growing and spreading. It does this with less harm to normal cells than other treatments. Standard ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Radiation therapy can be used with chemotherapy if surgery is not possible. Radiation therapy uses powerful x-rays or other forms of radiation to kill cancer cells. Radiation may be used to:Radiation therapyRadiation therapy uses high-powered x-rays, particles, or radioactive seeds to kill cancer cells.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treat the cancer, along with chemotherapy, if surgery is not possible Help relieve symptoms caused by the cancer, such as breathing problems and swelling Help relieve cancer pain when the cancer has spread to the bones Controlling symptoms during and after radiation to the chest is an important part of care.During and after radiation to the chestWhen you have radiation treatment for cancer, your body goes through changes. Follow your health care provider's instructions on how to care for you...Read Article Now Book Mark Article The following treatments are mostly used to relieve symptoms caused by NSCLC:Laser therapy -- A small beam of light burns and kills cancer cells. Photodynamic therapy -- Uses a light to activate a drug in the body, which kills cancer cells. Support Groups You can ease the stress of illness by joining a support group. Sharing with others who have common experiences and problems can help you not feel alone.Support groupThe following organizations are good resources for information on cancer:American Cancer Society -- www. cancer. orgAmerican Childhood Cancer Organiz...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Outlook (Prognosis) The outlook varies. Most often, NSCLC grows slowly. In some cases, it can grow and spread quickly and cause rapid death. The cancer may spread to other parts of the body, including the bone, liver, small intestine, and brain.Chemotherapy has been shown to prolong life and improve the quality of life in some people with stage IV NSCLC.Cure rates are related to the stage of disease and whether you are able to have surgery.Stage I and II cancers have the highest survival and cure rates. Stage III cancer can be cured in some cases. Stage IV cancer that has returned is almost never cured. The goals of therapy are to extend and improve quality of life. When to Contact a Medical Professional Call your provider if you have symptoms of lung cancer, particularly if you smoke. Prevention If you smoke, now is the time to quit. If you are having trouble quitting, talk with your provider. There are many methods to help you quit, from support groups to prescription medicines. Also, try to avoid secondhand smoke.Support groupsIt is hard to quit smoking if you are acting alone. Smokers usually have a much better chance of quitting with a support program. Stop smoking prog...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Prescription medicinesNicotine replacement therapy is a treatment to help people stop smoking. It uses products that supply low doses of nicotine. These products do not ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article If you are age 50 to 80 years old, have a 20 pack-year smoking history, and either currently smoke or used to smoke within the last 15 years, talk with your provider about getting screened for lung cancer. To get screened, you need to have a CT scan of the chest.Open ReferencesReferencesAraujo LH, Horn L, Merritt RE, Shilo K, Xu-Welliver M, Carbone DP. Cancer of the lung: non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer. In: Niederhuber JE, Armitage JO, Kastan MB, Doroshow JH, Tepper JE, eds. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 69.Ettinger DS, Wood DE, Aggarwal C, et al. NCCN guidelines insights: non-small cell lung cancer, version 1.2020. J Natl Compr Canc Netw. 2019;17(12):1464-1472. PMID: 31805526. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31805526/.National Cancer Institute website. Non-small cell lung cancer treatment (PDQ) - health professional version. www.cancer.gov/types/lung/hp/non-small-cell-lung-treatment-pdq. Updated July 12, 2021. Accessed August 2, 2021.Rivera MP, Mody GN, Weiner AA. Lung cancer: treatment. In: Broaddus VC, Ernst JD, King TE et al, eds. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 77.US Preventive Services Task Force website. Final recommendation statement. Lung cancer: screening. www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/lung-cancer-screening. Updated March 9, 2021. Accessed August 2, 2021.
