Lung Cancer
January 24, 2025
This page was reviewed under our medical and editorial policy by Jyoti Malhotra, M.D., M.P.H., associate professor, Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research, City of Hope® Orange County Lennar Foundation Cancer Center; and Jae Y. Kim, M.D., associate professor, Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, City of Hope Cancer Center Duarte
Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers in the United States, diagnosed in about 116,300 men and 118,300 women each year.
This disease develops when cells within the lungs mutate and multiply, causing them to grow out of control and form tumors.
Men have a 1 in 16 chance of developing lung cancer in their lifetimes, while women have a 1 in 17 chance of being diagnosed with the condition. A growing number of cases are being found in people who never smoked, which means factors like the environment or genetics may be involved.
Lung cancer may not cause symptoms until the disease has spread to other organs, but some patients notice a persistent cough, chest pain, bloody cough, shortness of breath and other signs.
The care team may recommend lung cancer screening for some people who are at higher risk for developing the disease. This may allow them to detect cancerous cells when the condition is in its earlier stages.
Most lung cancers are diagnosed as non-small cell lung cancer, but other types of cancer may develop in the lungs as well. These include small cell lung cancer, large cell carcinoma, neuroendocrine carcinoma and sarcomatoid carcinoma.
If the care team suspects lung cancer, they may perform a series of tests, which may differ based on the patient’s symptoms and medical history. These tests may include imaging scans, a bronchoscopy, thoracentesis and blood tests.
Lung cancer treatment may depend on the cancer’s location, stage and other factors. Treatments may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and targeted therapy.
Getting lung cancer treatment at City of Hope means you are steps away from labs developing exciting new therapies for lung cancer every day. As a result, the latest and award-winning lung cancer research we conduct moves quickly from the lab to our patients' bedsides.
Getting lung cancer is frightening and devastating. Getting through it and figuring out how to live a long life takes layers of support. At City of Hope, you get access to a strong support network, including staff to help you and your family at every step in your lung cancer journey.
Lung Cancer Patient Stories
Our Lung Cancer Expertise
City of Hope is a nationally recognized leader in the research and treatment of lung cancer. We are one of the few facilities designated as a comprehensive cancer center by the National Cancer Institute.
Our Program Highlights
Our commitment to providing the best lung cancer care includes:
- Lung experts who regularly treat aggressive and late-stage cancer, including complicated cases other institutions may have deemed untreatable
- Cost-effective, low-dose computed tomography scanning technology that may detect cancer earlier and help save lives
- Robotic-assisted endoscopy technology, enabling bronchoscopic visualization and lung cancer diagnosis at Stage 1 or 2, which results in safer, quicker and more accurate diagnosis
- Minimally invasive techniques, such as sputum cytology, needle biopsy, bronchoscopy, endobronchial ultrasound, electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy, pulmonary function testing, thoracentesis, cervical mediastinoscopy and thoracoscopy
- Interventional pulmonology experts who provide the most advanced diagnostic and therapeutic interventions available, including rigid bronchoscopy, medical pleuroscopy and robot-assisted bronchoscopy
- Investigational diagnostic testing, not yet available to the general public, offered through enrollment in our clinical trials
- Precision medicine specifically designed to destroy lung cancer cells, such as targeted therapy and immunotherapy
- Molecular and genetic tests to help tailor lung cancer treatment to each patient
- Exceptional supportive care services and survivorship resources for lung cancer patients
- A Smoking Cessation Program designed to help patients successfully stop smoking through medications, behavioral strategies, strategic problem solving and social support
City of Hope is one of fewer than 60 facilities designated as a comprehensive cancer center by the National Cancer Institute.
Our developments in the areas of breakthrough lung cancer drugs, minimally invasive thoracic surgery and breakthrough therapies are recognized internationally.
Our leadership in research and innovation continually enhances our ability to provide novel and differentiated approaches to cancer care.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with lung cancer, City of Hope has developed an interactive tool to help you navigate your journey.
