Lung Cancer
Lung cancer remains the most common type of cancer. Some are associated with smoking, but many are not.
Lung cancer is usually first detected by:
- An abnormal x-ray of the lung
- Or other symptoms suspicious of lung cancer.
If a mass is seen on x-ray of your lungs, you may be referred to radiology for a biopsy. Other tests, such as CT scan, PET scan, and MRI may also be ordered.
You may also be referred to the department of pulmonology to see a lung specialist for a consultation. At that time, a bronchoscopy with biopsy may be recommended by your lung specialist, in order to obtain a diagnosis.
Lung cancer is separated into two major categories:
- small cell lung cancer and
- non-small cell lung cancer.
Nearly all small cell lung cancers are associated with smoking.
Non-small cell lung cancer are also separated into several subtypes. The most common are:
- squamous cell lung cancer, which is often associated with smoking;
- adenocarcinoma may or may not be associated with smoking.
For early stage non-small cell lung cancer, treatment options include:
- surgery
- radiation
- chemotherapy
- combination of these treatment methods.
For advance stage non-small cell lung cancer, treatment options include:
- chemotherapy
- targeted therapy
- supportive care.
You may be referred to medical oncology and/or thoracic surgery for further evaluation on treatment options after a biopsy has confirmed the diagnosis of lung cancer.
Department Contact List
- Department of Radiology at Santa Clara.
- Department of Pulmonology at Santa Clara.
- Department of Thoracic Surgery at Santa Clara.
- Department of Radiation Oncology at Santa Clara.
- Department of Medical Oncology at Santa Clara.
Clinical trials available for treatment of lung cancer at Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara:
