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Lung cancer is cancer that usually starts in the lining of the bronchi, but can also begin in other areas of the respiratory system, including the trachea, bronchioles, or alveoli.
Several risk factors for lung cancer make a person more likely to develop lung cancer. Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, with more than 90 percent of lung cancers thought to be a result of smoking.
Lung cancers are believed to develop over a period of many years and are generally divided into two types: Nonsmall cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer. It is important to find out what kind of lung cancer a person has. The different types of carcinomas, involving different regions of the lung, may cause different symptoms and are treated differently.
Lung cancer usually does not cause symptoms when it first develops, but they often become present after the tumor begins growing. A cough is the most common symptom of lung cancer. Like all cancers, lung cancer can cause other physical problems including: fatigue, loss of appetite, loss of weight, headache, pain in other parts of the body not affected by the cancer and bone fractures. None of these symptoms is a sure sign of lung cancer. St. John’s Mercy has highly trained physicians able to tell whether a patient's symptoms are caused by lung cancer or by another problem. The tumor cells of each type of lung cancer grow and spread differently, and each type requires different treatment.
In addition to a complete medical history to check for lung cancer risk factors and symptoms, and a physical examination to provide other information about signs of lung cancer and other health problems, procedures and other tests will be used to diagnose lung cancer. Once the diagnosis is confirmed specific treatment for lung cancer will be determined by the physician based on the patient’s overall health, medical history, the extent of the disease and other factors.
The St. John’s Mercy David C. Pratt Cancer Center offers some of the most advanced imaging and treatment modalities available. The conventional treatment with renowned oncologist and sophisticated technology, integrative therapies and a community of support all within a comfortable, healing environment is why patients chose St. John’s within the St. Louis area for their treatment and care. To learn more about our cancer center, please call 314-251-6400.
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