Lung Cancer

SSM Health understands the fears following a lung cancer diagnosis. Our cancer specialists are ready to walk you through diagnosis, treatment and beyond. Depending on your diagnosis, the location and size of the tumor, your symptom severity and overall health, your physician may recommend a single treatment or a combination of treatments.

You can rest assured that SSM Health’s cancer specialists are here with you every step of the way. Our team will work with you to ensure your treatment plan is tailored for your unique situation and treatment needs. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or seeking a second opinion, you likely have questions. We have answers. Find a doctor today and see how our exceptional care reveals the healing power of presence.

What is lung cancer?

Cells in the lungs can become abnormal over time, and may not die off as part of the body’s natural process of renewal. As these abnormal cells reproduce they gradually form a tumor in the lung. Due to the size of the lungs, these tumors often go undetected for years. We treat the most common types of lung cancer, including small-cell lung cancers and non-small-cell lung cancers (NSCLC).

What are risk factors for lung cancer?

Accounting for 90% of lung cancer diagnoses, smoking is the top risk factor. However, other risk factors include:

• Exposure to asbestos and other hazardous materials and chemicals
• Exposure to radon gas
• Exposure to secondhand smoke
• Family history of lung cancer

What are the signs and symptoms of lung cancer?

Like most cancers, symptoms of lung cancer don’t tend to present themselves until later stages. Symptoms of advanced stage lung cancer can include:

• Tiredness or fatigue
• Persistent cough
• Trouble breathing and shortness of breath
• Discomfort in the chest and surrounding areas
• Coughing up mucus or phlegm
• Coughing up blood (hemoptysis)

If you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms, call your doctor and schedule a lung cancer screening. From there your doctor will decide which diagnostic test you may qualify for.

Who should get lung cancer screenings?

Depending on your risk, your doctor may encourage you to undergo regular, preventative CT scan screenings. CT lung cancer screening is recommended for those at high risk for cancer, including individuals who:

• Are between the ages of 50 and 77 and enrolled in Medicare, or between the ages of 50 and 80 and enrolled in a commercial insurance
• Show no signs or symptoms of lung cancer (worsening cough, hoarseness, cough producing bloody material, unexplained weight loss)
• Have a 20-pack-year tobacco smoking history (one pack of cigarettes a day for 20 years, two packs of cigarettes a day for 10 years, or other combinations. Pack a year history = number of packs per day x number of years)
• Is a current smoker or has quit within the past 15 years

As with any cancer, the earlier you can find lung cancer, the better. Preventative lung cancer screenings for high-risk patients is a key component of early detection and intervention. At SSM Health, we are committed to finding your lung cancer - and to helping you decide your next steps - so talk to your doctor today about whether preventative screening is right for you.

What are treatment options for lung cancer?

Depending on where you are at in your lung cancer journey, it may be time for you to start analyzing your treatment options. SSM Health’s cancer specialists are here to discuss every option available to you. They have access to the region’s most advanced technologies for diagnosing and treating multiple types of lung cancer. They have the knowledge, expertise and compassion you deserve when working through your cancer treatment.

What are surgical treatment options for lung cancer?

Our surgical oncologists are board-certified in a number of advanced surgical treatments for multiple lung cancer types. Surgery is used to completely remove the tumor from the lung and lymph nodes throughout the chest. Depending on your diagnosis, our surgical oncologists may recommend:

• Lobectomy: removal of entire lobe of lung, including tumors found within
• Wedge resection: removal of tumor(s) in addition to part of the normal lung
• Pneumonectomy: removal of lung or part of lung
• Minimally-invasive video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS): tiny camera (thoracoscope) inserted into the chest, used to guide surgeon during procedure
• Segmental resection: removal of a segment of the lung
• Sleeve resection: removal of the affected area of the lung and then sewing the two ends together

Are there radiation therapies for lung cancer?

Radiation therapy is a key treatment for lung cancer. It uses high-energy X-rays to target and kill cancer cells. This method helps protect nearby healthy tissue. Radiation can cure early-stage lung cancer on its own. Radiation can be part of a multimodal treatment. For instance, doctors may combine it with chemotherapy and immunotherapy. This method treats the main disease in the chest. Doctors also use it after lung cancer surgery. It aims to lower the chance of cancer returning.

In advanced lung cancer, where the disease has spread, radiation can ease symptoms. It can reduce pain, make breathing easier, and stop bleeding. This treatment can enhance the quality of life, even if the doctors can't cure the cancer.

Our radiation oncologists use computerized planning for treatment. This targets the affected area and reduces side effects on healthy tissue. Treatment techniques include:

• 3D-conformal radiation therapy
• Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) / Stereotactic Ablative Radiation Therapy (SABR)
• Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT)
• Surface Guided Radiation Therapy (SGRT)
• Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT)
• Volumetric Arc Therapy (VMAT)

Will I need chemotherapy for lung cancer?

As part of your care, your medical oncologist may recommend chemotherapy or other medicine based therapies as part of your treatment plan. These are treatments that are taken orally or administered through an IV.

Other interventional treatmentts for lung cancer:

No two lung cancers are the same. The cancer specialists art SSM Health know and understand this. We realize that traditional treatments may not be your best option. That’s why we’re trained in other minimally invasive procedures, such as:

• Cryosurgery
• Image-guided biopsies, including cryoablation and radiofrequency ablation
• Laser surgery to open a blocked airway
• Navigational bronchoscopy and other interventional pulmonology procedures
• PleurX catheter: used to drain fluid that may accumulate in tissue surrounding the lungs

Life after lung cancer treatment:

Following your treatment, our doctors encourage regular physical exams and screening. It’s important to develop a post-treatment care plan with your physician. Your overall health is a critical part to recovery. Our doctors are here to help you maintain a healthy diet and weight, and talk with you about the benefits of exercise in rebuilding strength and energy levels.

SSM Health is here to help you through your cancer treatments. You can trust your health with us. Call today and learn how we can help you on your path to healing.