Lung Cancer Services

Early detection of lung cancer is important. When diagnosed in its earliest stages, the average survival rate for lung cancer is 92 percent. Our Cancer Institute offers you convenient access to the latest imaging techniques to detect and diagnose lung cancer. Our expert clinicians utilize the latest technology available, including robotic-assisted bronchoscopy (Ion) and endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS), a convenient, minimally invasive procedure performed on an outpatient basis for accurate biopsy, diagnosis and staging of lung cancer.

You have the flexibility and convenience of scheduling tests close to home or your workplace, either at Doylestown Hospital or at the Health and Wellness Center in Warrington, PA. We use low-radiation, radiation-free and minimally invasive diagnostic procedures for the screening and diagnosis of lung cancer. 

Symptoms

Lung cancer often has no noticeable symptoms in its early stages. Approximately 40 percent of people diagnosed with lung cancer have reached advanced stages, which means the disease has spread or metastasized. Symptoms often vary depending on the type of lung cancer, location and size of the tumor. Some symptoms may take years to develop and may appear similar to other illnesses.

Lung cancer symptoms may include:

• Coughing that is persistent, gets worse or will not subside; approximately 50 percent of people with lung cancer experience coughing as a primary symptom
• Coughing up blood
• Chest pain that is new or unexplained
• Feeling exhausted or extremely tired all of the time
• Hoarseness of voice
• Pneumonia or recurrent pneumonia
• Shortness of breath
• Swollen glands or lymph nodes in the chest area near the lungs
• Unexplained weight loss
• Wheezing

Consult with our Cancer Specialists

If you, or a loved one, experiences symptoms of lung cancer, make a consultation with one of our cancer specialists. Our cancer care team encourages anyone with risk factors for lung cancer, especially smoking, to learn about your options for screening and early detection. We offer the most advanced technologies, including low-dose CT scans, to detect lung cancer in high-risk patients.

Risk Factors 

Smoking Tobacco

To prevent lung cancer, do not smoke cigarettes or use tobacco products. Smoking is the leading cause of preventable deaths and disease in the United States. Our Cancer Institute team strongly encourages anyone who smokes cigarettes, cigars or pipes, or uses other forms of tobacco, to quit.

Cigarette smoking is the number one risk factor for lung cancer, accounting for 87 percent of all lung cancers in the country.

Additional Risk Factors

In addition to smoking, there are several environmental, work-related, lifestyle and hereditary risk factors for lung cancer. Our cancer specialists have extensive experience in treating lung cancer caused by all types of risk factors including:

• Radon: Exposure to radon is the second leading risk factor for lung cancer, associated with 15,000 to 20,000 cases each year in the United States. Radon is an invisible, odorless, tasteless radioactive gas released from the normal decay of the elements in rocks and soil that can damage cells that line the lungs and lead to lung cancer.
• Asbestos: These tiny, hair-like fibers found in natural minerals were used for fireproofing and insulating in construction materials and manufacturing processes. When inhaled, the fibers can irritate the lungs and eventually cause lung disease. People who smoke and are exposed to asbestos have a higher risk for lung cancer.
• Industrial and chemical substances: Exposure to substances such as arsenic, uranium, coal products, mustard gas, ethers, gasoline and diesel exhaust may increase risk for lung cancer.
• Family history or genetics: These factors play a role in the development of lung cancer through inherited or environmentally acquired gene mutations.
• Radiation exposure: X-rays of the chest area can increase risk of lung cancer, especially in people who smoke.
• Air pollution: Contains trace amounts of diesel exhaust, coal products and other industrial substances.
• Tuberculosis: Causes scarring of lung tissue that can be a risk factor for developing lung cancer.
• Military service: Veterans and active-duty personnel exposed to industrial substances, asbestos, air pollution or tactical chemicals, such as Agent Orange, may be at higher risk for lung cancer.
• No known risk: Approximately 15 percent of patients with lung cancer do not have any known risk factors for the disease.

A diagnosis of lung cancer presents many complex decisions for obtaining the best and most effective treatment. At our Cancer Institute, we offer state-of-the-art therapies with the added convenience and comfort of receiving treatment and follow-up care close to home.

Our team of experts treat all types and all stages of lung at Doylestown Hospital and the Health and Wellness Center in Warrington, PA. It’s our goal to ensure you and your loved ones have access to highly specialized treatment options and direct referral to innovative research and clinical trials for lung cancer not available anywhere else in the Philadelphia region.