Lung cancer care

Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in both men and women. But with life-saving screening and treatment options, the Advocate Cancer Institute care team is committed to ending that trend in the communities we serve.

Identifying lung cancer symptoms and knowing your risk are important steps to ensure lung cancer is caught early. Early detection saves lives. Our multidisciplinary team is committed to helping you navigate and understand lung cancer symptoms and treatment options.

When you come to any of our locations throughout the Chicago metro area, you’ll discover we have some of the most industry-leading prevention and early detection tools available. We also have a full range of treatments that can be tailored to your unique needs.

Find an Advocate Cancer Institute near you.

About lung cancer

Lung cancer is the growth of abnormal cells in the lungs. It's the leading cause of cancer deaths in both men and women and is mostly attributed to smoking. What makes it especially dangerous is that lung cancer symptoms often don’t appear until the disease has reached advanced stages. Screenings can save lives by catching the condition in its earliest and most treatable stages.

What is the first stage of lung cancer?

Stage 0 is the first stage of lung cancer when abnormal cells are found only in the top layers of cells lining the lungs. Given the lack of symptoms until much later, a stage 0 diagnosis is rare. Most lung cancer is diagnosed at a later stage.

What are the other stages of lung cancer?

Lung cancer is staged 0-4, and each stage is determined by the size of the tumor. While stage 0 has no symptoms or invasion into deeper tissues, other stages – such as stage 4 lung cancer – are much more aggressive.

• Stage 0: Abnormal cells are found only in the top layers of cells lining the lung or airways.
• Stage 1: The tumor is less than 4 cm and is still confined to the lung.
• Stage 2: The tumor could be up to 5 cm and has spread to nearby lymph nodes.
• Stage 3: The cancer has spread to lymph nodes in the center of the chest or invaded nearby structures. Stage 3A may still be operable, but stage 3B/C is often inoperable depending on how extensively it has spread.
• Stage 4: Cancer has spread to distant organs. Treatment focuses on prolonging and improving quality of life.

What stage is lung cancer usually found?

Because lung cancer grows silently, there are often no signs of lung cancer in the early stages. For that reason, lung cancer is most commonly diagnosed at stage 4 when the cancer has already spread to distant organs like the brain, bones or liver.

Regular screenings, especially for people who currently smoke or used to smoke, are important. Anyone who feels they might be at risk should talk to their doctor about getting screened.

What are the most common types of lung cancer?

The two most common types of lung cancer are nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer. While these cancers have important differences, both begin in the lung tissue and share the same lung cancer symptoms.

Small cell lung cancer accounts for roughly 15% of all lung cancer cases and is found almost exclusively in smokers. This type often recurs frequently.

NSCLC is the most common form of lung cancer and can often have a better prognosis if caught early.

What is nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC)?

Nonsmall cell lung cancer is the most common type of lung cancer, making up about 85% of cases.

While the symptoms of lung cancer and risks factors remain the same as small cell lung cancer, nonsmall cell lung cancer tends to spread slowly. Many people do not experience symptoms until it has metastasized to other parts of the body.

There are three main types of nonsmall cell lung cancer:

• Adenocarcinoma: This is the most common type of lung cancer found in nonsmokers, though it can also be found in smokers. It begins in the outer parts of the lungs and is frequently diagnosed early.
• Squamous cell carcinoma: This is strongly linked to smoking and starts in the central airways. It is more common in men than women.
• Large cell carcinoma: This can appear anywhere in the lungs and tends to spread quickly. It is less common and is linked to exposures, including smoking, asbestos, radon and air pollution.

Lung cancer symptoms

The most common lung cancer symptoms include:

• Coughing, especially coughing up blood
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Hoarseness or wheezing
• Fatigue or weakness
• Unexplained weight loss or loss of appetite
• Recurrent infections like bronchitis or pneumonia

Unfortunately, by the time these symptoms are present, the cancer is often more advanced. Early signs of lung cancer are rare, as early lung cancer is often asymptomatic.

Causes of lung cancer

Smoking is the No. 1 cause of lung cancer, responsible for about 90% of all lung cancer deaths. We're committed to helping you kick the habit for good and enjoy a longer, healthier life. Take the first step with smoking cessation classes, which offer the training and support you need to succeed. Sessions are led by instructors who understand the obstacles to quitting and how to conquer them.

Radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas found in soil and rocks, is the second-leading cause of lung cancer and the No. 1 cause among nonsmokers. Those exposed to secondhand smoke are also at risk of developing lung cancer.

Other risk factors include air pollution and exposure to asbestos, arsenic, diesel exhaust, silica and chromium.

What is life expectancy with lung cancer?

While lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the U.S., survival rates have improved thanks to advances in both screening and treatment. The prognosis and treatment for lung cancer depend on each patient, their specific health condition and the type and stage of lung cancer.

Lung cancer survival rates by stage

According to the American Cancer Society, survival rates vary depending on how soon the cancer is detected:

• Localized (cancer confined to the lungs): 5-year survival rate is about 67%.
• Regional (spread to nearby lymph nodes or tissues): 5-year survival rate is about 40%.
• Distant (spread to other organs): 5-year survival rate drops to about 12%.

Given lung cancer symptoms are rare in the early stages, most lung cancers are diagnosed at a distant stage. Early detection through screening can significantly improve outcomes.

Lung cancer screening

When it comes to beating lung cancer, early detection is key. We offer low-dose CT scans to catch lung cancer early. The scan provides incredibly detailed pictures to detect even the smallest tumors. It’s safe, painless and has proven to reduce the risk of lung cancer death by up to 20%.

Who should get screened?

People with a history of cigarette smoking have a higher risk of lung cancer. Based on the National Lung Screening Trial findings, lung cancer screening is recommended for:

• People between the ages of 50 and 77
• Current smokers with a smoking history of at least 20 pack-years (e.g., one pack per day for 20 years, two packs per day for 10 years, etc.)
• Former smokers with at least a 20 pack-year smoking history who have quit within the last 15 years

How do I schedule a screening?

Get started by talking with your doctor – you’ll discuss lung cancer risk factors and determine if a lung screening is right for you.

Schedule an appointment.

Lung cancer treatment plans

More than 95% of lung abnormalities found on lung cancer screenings are benign. But if you do face a lung cancer diagnosis, you'll have some of the region’s best experts by your side. This multiskilled team works closely together and with you to create a personalized lung cancer treatment plan. We can target tumors with extreme precision using radiation therapy, image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) and other advanced techniques, while sparing healthy lung tissue.

Should surgery be necessary, our thoracic surgeons are available to help. And you have access to promising treatments like immunotherapy and the latest cancer clinical trials.

Lung cancer support

A lung cancer diagnosis can be draining physically, emotionally and mentally. It’s important to have a strong support system around you, and we’re committed to helping you through that process.

We ensure each patient has access to all the education, tools and resources you and your loved ones need to manage a lung cancer diagnosis. Whether it’s understanding lung cancer symptoms and screening options or navigating lung cancer treatment, you’ll find a full range of free or low-cost cancer support services. This includes education, rehabilitation, nutritional and spiritual counseling, support groups and more.