« Cancer Programs and Services

Lung cancer

Advanced treatment with compassionate cancer care for every stage of your journey.

Female doctor wearing a white lab coat with a male patient

At HSHS St. Vincent Hospital Cancer Centers, we know a lung cancer diagnosis can bring worry and many questions. You want to understand your options, get the best care and know you’ll be supported along the way. Our team includes cancer doctors (oncologists), along with our Prevea Health partner lung specialists (pulmonologists), surgeons (thoracic surgeons), nurses and support specialists who work together to give you advanced treatment and personalized care.

Understanding Lung Cancer

Lung cancer occurs when cells in the lungs grow out of control. There are two main types of lung cancer: 

  • Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) - The most common type, about 85% of cases.
  • Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) – Less common, but often grows faster.

Finding lung cancer early can make treatment work better. If you are at high risk, screening can help find it before symptoms start. 

Risk Factors

Smoking is the biggest cause of lung cancer, but it is not the only one. Other risk factors include:

  • Breathing in secondhand smoke.
  • Exposure to radon gas, asbestos or air pollution.
  • Family history of lung cancer.

Even people who have never smoked can get lung cancer. Your primary care provider can review your risk and offer tips to help lower it.

Signs and Symptoms

Lung cancer may not cause symptoms in the early stages. As it grows, you may notice:

  • A cough that doesn’t go away.
  • Coughing up blood.
  • Chest pain.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Unexplained weight loss.
  • Feeling very tired.

If you have these symptoms, especially if you are at higher risk, talk to your doctor right away.

More About Lung Cancer

A low-dose CT scan can find lung cancer early, even before you feel sick. Screening is quick and painless. If you’re at high risk, ask if you qualify.
If lung cancer is suspected, you doctor may order:
  • Imaging scans, like X-rays or CT scans.
  • A biopsy, where a small piece of the tissue is tested.
  • Lab tests to learn more about the cancer type.
We explain every step and what your results mean.
Lung cancer may not cause symptoms in the early stages. As it grows, you may notice:
  • A cough that doesn’t go away.
  • Coughing up blood.
  • Chest pain.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Unexplained weight loss.
  • Feeling very tired.
If you have these symptoms, especially if you are at higher risk, talk to your doctor right away.
Your care plan will be made just for you. It may include:
  • Surgery – to remove cancer if possible.
  • Radiation therapy – to target cancer cells.
  • Chemotherapy – medicines to destroy cancer cells; given in a supportive environment with expert nursing care. We offer the latest chemotherapy regimens in comfortable, supportive environments. Our oncology nurses provide expert care and education throughout your treatment.
  • Immunotherapy – helps your immune system fight cancer.
  • Targeted therapy – drugs that attack specific cancer cell changes.
You may also have the option to join a clinical trial to access promising new treatments.
You may also have the option to join a clinical trial.
We use a team approach. This means cancer doctors, lung specialists, surgeons, nurses, nutritionists, social workers and other experts meet regularly to review your case. We work together to make sure you get the right care at the right time.
Through the HSHS St. Vincent Hospital Clinical Research Institute, you may have access to new treatments not yet widely available. Clinical trials help us learn more about lung cancer and improve care for future patients.

We’re Here for You

From your first visit to follow-up care, we’ll guide and support you every step of the way. Our goal is to treat the cancer while also caring for you as a person.

Contact your primary care provider to learn more about lung cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment at HSHS St. Vincent Hospital Cancer Centers.