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Lung cancer

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Know the signs, symptoms, and types of lung cancer

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Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths for men and women in the US. It’s important for people with lung cancer to get medical care as early as possible.

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Smoking causes 6 in 7 cases of lung cancer

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Lung cancer happens when abnormal cells in the lungs grow uncontrollably. About 86% of lung cancers are caused by cigarette smoking.

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There are 2 main types of lung cancer

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The 2 most common types of lung cancer are:

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) – about 80% to 85% of all lung cancers
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) – about 10% to 15% of all lung cancers

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There are 3 subtypes of NSCLC

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NSCLC is the most common type of lung cancer. It has 3 subtypes, which start in different types of lung cells:

Adenocarcinoma is the most common subtype of NSCLC. It starts in cells in the lung that make mucus, called epithelial cells. Epithelial cells line the surface of the lungs
Squamous cell carcinoma starts in cells that line the inside of the airways in the lungs. This subtype of NSCLC tends to be found near a main airway
Large cell carcinoma can develop in any part of the lungs. This subtype of NSCLC tends to grow and spread quickly, which can make it harder to treat

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SCLC tends to grow and spread faster than NSCLC

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SCLC is a less common type of lung cancer. It grows and spreads faster than NSCLC. In most people with SCLC, the cancer has already spread beyond the lungs by the time it is diagnosed.

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Remember the most common symptoms of lung cancer

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Signs and symptoms of lung cancer are often mistaken for a lung infection or the effects of smoking. It’s important for people to see their doctor right away if they have any of these symptoms:

Cough that does not go away or gets worse
Coughing up blood or rust-colored sputum (spit or phlegm)
Chest pain that is often worse with deep breathing, coughing, or laughing
Hoarseness
Loss of appetite
Unexplained weight loss
Shortness of breath
Feeling tired or weak
Lung infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia that won’t go away or keep coming back
New onset of wheezing

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Lung cancer can cause other symptoms if it spreads

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Most lung cancers do not cause symptoms until they have spread to other organs of the body. Lung cancer commonly spreads to the brain, bones, adrenal glands, or liver. When that happens, it may cause these symptoms:

Bone pain, such as pain in the back or hips
Nervous system changes, such as headache, weakness or numbness of an arm or leg, dizziness, balance problems, or seizures
Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
Swelling of lymph nodes such as those in the neck or above the collarbone

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Finding lung cancer early may lead to better outcomes

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Unfortunately, many people with lung cancer (45%) already have late-stage disease when they are first diagnosed. But more lung cancers are being found before they spread. Early diagnosis rates rose by 50% over 10 years following the introduction of lung cancer screening. Knowing the signs and symptoms of lung cancer may help.

Detecting lung cancer early might improve the chance of successful treatment. Seeing a doctor as soon as symptoms appear is important. This may help doctors find and treat lung cancer at an earlier stage.