Lung Cancer

Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center

Lung cancer originates in the lungs, the organs located in the chest that control breathing. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in both men and women in the U.S., and it often spreads without symptoms.

The most common cause of lung cancer is cigarette smoking. However, 15 percent of people diagnosed with lung cancer have never smoked.

What Are the Types of Lung Cancer?

Most lung cancers fall into two main groups. These types grow differently and often need different treatments.

Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

NSCLC is the most common type of lung cancer. It tends to grow more slowly than small cell lung cancer. Main NSCLC subtypes include:

Adenocarcinoma often begins in gland cells that make mucus. It's often found in the outer parts of the lung. Adenocarcinoma is common in current or former smokers, but it can also occur in people who never smoked.
Squamous cell carcinoma often starts near the larger airways. It can form closer to the center of the chest. It is commonly linked to smoking.
Large cell carcinoma can arise in many parts of the lung. It often grows and spreads faster than other NSCLC types.

Less common NSCLC subtypes include adenosquamous and sarcomatoid cancers.

Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)

SCLC usually starts in the large tubes that carry air into the lungs (the bronchi) and often grows and spreads quickly. It's strongly linked to tobacco use. Main SCLC subtypes include:

Small cell carcinoma, also called oat cell
Combined small cell carcinoma

Less Common Types of Lung Cancer

Some tumors, called lung carcinoid tumors, start in lung neuroendocrine cells. They often grow more slowly than NSCLC and SCLC. Other rare cancers, such as pleural mesothelioma and certain lymphomas, can involve the lung area. These are treated differently than other lung cancers.

Why Choose UT Southwestern for Lung Cancer Treatment?

UT Southwestern Medical Center’s Lung Cancer Program works to help patients with lung cancer live longer, fuller lives, using early detection methods, the newest drug treatments, and innovative techniques in surgery and radiation.

As the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in North Texas, we deliver the best cancer care available today and push to discover new treatments. NCI designation means we offer patients the ability to participate in the broadest possible range of clinical trials, with access to potential therapies not available at other facilities.

What Are the Symptoms of Lung Cancer?

Many people with lung cancer have no symptoms at first. When signs do appear, they can look like common illnesses, such as lung infections. Symptoms may not develop until cancer grows or spreads.

Common signs include:

A cough that does not go away
A cough that gets worse over time
Shortness of breath
Wheezing
Chest pain or pressure
Coughing up blood

Hoarseness or voice changes
Loss of appetite
Weight loss without a clear reason
Ongoing tiredness or low energy
Trouble swallowing

Some symptoms, such as swelling of the face, can reflect pressure from a tumor on nearby structures. Swollen neck veins can also occur.

A person with persistent symptoms should seek medical evaluation. Coughing up blood or severe breathing trouble require urgent medical care.

How Is Lung Cancer Treated?

This complicated disease requires the highest standard of care, with experts who specialize in lung cancer and are committed to creating a personalized treatment plan that works for each patient.

At UT Southwestern, our multidisciplinary lung cancer team includes world-renowned experts, with radiologists, cytology and pathology specialists, pulmonologists, medical and radiation oncologists, thoracic surgeons, pain specialists, dietitians, and others, all located in one convenient clinic. We provide expert care for patients with any type or stage of lung cancer, including rare forms of the disease, such as mesothelioma.

Our lung cancer specialists are also highly involved in research and frequently pioneer new drug treatments that are helping to turn the tide against lung cancer. Our program is a recipient of an NCI grant awarded to only 30 U.S. research institutions, which allows our patients to benefit from special access to nationwide group trials for lung cancer.

U.S. News & World Report High Performing Hospitals for lung cancer surgery

Nationally Ranked in Cancer Care

UT Southwestern Medical Center is ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the nation's top 20 hospitals for cancer care, and we are rated as "High Performing" in lung cancer surgery, placing us among the leading facilities in the U.S. for this procedure.

What Support Services for Lung Cancer Does UT Southwestern Offer?

Lung cancer requires specialized care, so we take a different approach from other health care providers in North Texas. Our team leverages a variety of techniques to create an individualized treatment plan based on each patient’s needs.

First, we work to detect and diagnose lung cancer as early as possible. We have a range of advanced diagnostic technologies.

If lung cancer is diagnosed, our team will perform additional tests to stage the cancer and determine the best course of treatment. For each patient, our team collaborates to create a customized plan of care that includes one or a combination of the latest treatment options.

In addition, we offer support services for patients and their families to help them manage every situation they experience during their cancer treatment and after.

Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center

Cancer Care at the Highest Level. Anywhere.

Our team of hundreds of leading cancer physicians and oncology-trained support staff is a trusted partner in returning patients with cancer to good health.

Learn More

Related Conditions and Treatments

Find a Clinical Trial

We have a wide range of clinical trials open to patients with all types and stages of cancer. Search for opportunities to participate in a cancer study.

StudyFinder