Leading-Edge Lung Cancer Care
As you strive to stay positive in the face of a lung cancer diagnosis, we can give you even more reason to be confident. At UChicago Medicine AdventHealth, we never stop looking for more effective ways to treat and cure cancer.
Our team of specialized oncologists and physicians is pioneering some of the latest clinical trials and cancer research, and we’re continually evaluating new cancer prevention and treatment methods. With access to the latest research and protocols, we aim to provide lung cancer treatments that support your recovery and guide you to a life of whole health and wellness.
What Is Lung Cancer?
Lung cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the cells of the lungs. When a person has lung cancer, abnormal cells grow uncontrollably in one or both lungs, forming tumors. These tumors can interfere with the normal functioning of the lungs, making it difficult for them to provide oxygen to the body through the bloodstream.
There are two main types of lung cancer:
- Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): This is the most common type, accounting for about 85% of all lung cancers. NSCLC can be further divided into subtypes such as adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and large cell carcinoma.
- Small cell lung cancer (SCLC): This type is less common but tends to grow and spread more rapidly than NSCLC. It's often associated with smoking and tobacco use.
Rest assured, our expert oncologists at UChicago Medicine AdventHealth are dedicated to helping you heal in body, mind and spirit as you work toward remission.
Specialized Lung Cancer Care You Can Count On
You’ve got this, because you’ve got us. Find the expert care and support you need to face your lung cancer diagnosis and reclaim your life.
Proactive Care to Protect Your Lungs
Learn more about how we can help you detect lung cancer early, when it’s most treatable and beatable, plus what lung cancer staging means.
- Lung Cancer Screenings for Early Diagnosis
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We’re committed to preventing, diagnosing and treating lung cancer. Preventive screenings are especially important if you meet the following criteria, as the survival rate for lung cancer improves dramatically when the disease is caught in its earliest stages. You qualify for a lung screening if you:
- Are a current smoker or have quit smoking within the last 15 years
- Are between the ages of 50 and 77
- Have a smoking history of at least 20 pack years (number of packs smoked per day times the number of years smoked)
- Have no symptoms of lung cancer
Our lung cancer screening program is designed to catch cancer in its earliest stages, giving at-risk patients the best possible chance for a full recovery. UChicago Medicine AdventHealth offers CT lung cancer screenings for just $99 (paid at time of service) for patients who qualify. A physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner order is required.
- Understanding the Stages of Lung Cancer
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Lung cancer is staged based on the extent of the disease, which helps determine prognosis and guide treatment decisions.
Stages of Lung Cancer (Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer - NSCLC):
- Stage 0: Also known as carcinoma, cancer cells are only present in the top layers of cells lining the air passages and have not invaded deeper into lung tissue.
- Stage I: Cancer is localized to the lung and has not spread to nearby lymph nodes or other distant organs.
- Stage II: Cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes or structures within the chest, such as the chest wall or diaphragm, but has not spread to distant organs.
- Stage III: Cancer has spread to lymph nodes near the affected lung or to nearby structures such as the heart or major blood vessels. Stage III lung cancer is further divided into:
- Stage IIIA: Cancer has spread to lymph nodes on the same side of the chest as the primary tumor.
- Stage IIIB: Cancer has spread to lymph nodes on the opposite side of the chest or above the collarbone.
- Stage IV: Also known as metastatic lung cancer, cancer has spread to distant organs such as the liver, bones or brain.
Staging for lung cancer involves a combination of imaging tests (such as CT scans, PET scans and MRI scans) and procedures (such as endoscopy or bronchoscopy) to assess the extent of the disease. The stage of cancer plays a critical role in determining the appropriate treatment approach and in predicting outcomes.
- The Most-Advanced Lung Cancer Treatments
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It can be hard to stay confident after a cancer diagnosis. But at UChicago Medicine AdventHealth, we want to help you find hope through the ever-evolving advancements in cancer care. Every day, our nationally renowned lung cancer program works to provide you with the most innovative technologies and therapies available by participating in hundreds of clinical trials to discover the newest treatments for lung cancer, including mesothelioma and squamous cell carcinomas. It’s why we’re consistently at the forefront of our field.
You provide the unwavering spirit that inspires us. In turn, we provide you with a network of specialists trained in treating the following types of cancer:
- Lung cancer
- Mediastinal tumors
- Mesothelioma and malignant mesothelioma
- Squamous carcinoma
No matter your diagnosis, you can be sure that we'll be by your side, using all the knowledge and skill we have to help heal your body, ease your mind and minister to your spirit.
- Treatment Protocols for the Best Chance of Full Recovery
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Lung cancer takes its toll on your whole being. But you can find strength knowing we have leading expertise in the three essential tiers of treatment: surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. With a multidisciplinary set of highly specialized surgical procedures and a combination of treatments, we can offer you the best chance at a full recovery. Lung cancer treatment options include:
- Surgery: Surgical removal of the tumor may be an option for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Types of surgery include:
- Lobectomy: Removal of a section (lobe) of the lung
- Pneumonectomy: Removal of an entire lung
- Segmentectomy or wedge resection: Removal of a smaller portion of the lung
- Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is often used in combination with surgery for NSCLC or as the primary treatment for advanced or metastatic lung cancer. It may also be given concurrently with radiation therapy (chemoradiotherapy) for locally advanced disease.
- Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy may be used alone for early-stage lung cancer in individuals who are not candidates for surgery or in combination with chemotherapy for locally advanced disease. It can also be used to relieve symptoms of advanced or metastatic lung cancer.
- Targeted therapy: Targeted therapy drugs target specific genetic mutations or proteins present in cancer cells. They are used for certain types of NSCLC, such as those with EGFR mutations or ALK rearrangements.
- Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy drugs, such as checkpoint inhibitors, help the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells. They are used for advanced or metastatic NSCLC and certain types of small cell lung cancer (SCLC).
- Palliative care: Palliative care focuses on symptom management and improving quality of life for individuals with advanced or metastatic lung cancer. It may include pain management, supportive care services, and psychosocial support.
We’ll consult with you every step of the way so you’re always informed and prepared for what comes next. And if your treatment requires a lifestyle change, like quitting smoking, we'll give you the tools and support you need to leave old habits in the past and press on toward a healthier future.
- Surgery: Surgical removal of the tumor may be an option for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Types of surgery include:
Feel Confident With Oncology Experts in Your Corner
No matter your diagnosis, our compassionate oncologists are here to deliver the expertise you deserve on your road to remission. Learn more about other UChicago Medicine AdventHealth cancer care and services.
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Gastrointestinal Cancer
We provide advanced treatments tailored to address gastrointestinal cancers, including those affecting the stomach, colon, rectum, liver, pancreas and other digestive organs.
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Gynecologic Cancer
We offer leading radiology and surgical technologies to target cervical, fallopian tube, ovarian, uterine, vaginal, vulvar and other reproductive-system cancers.
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Breast Cancer
At UChicago Medicine AdventHealth, we provide low-cost breast cancer screenings and leading-edge breast cancer treatments catered to your specific needs and challenges.