Lung Cancer

Lung cancer begins when abnormal cells in the lung grow and divide in an uncontrolled way. Because every patient’s situation is unique, our team at Illinois CancerCare focuses on early detection, accurate diagnosis, and personalized treatment plans designed to give you the best possible outcome. The two main types are non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC)—each with different testing and treatment approaches.

Understanding the Lungs & Lung Cancer Types

Your lungs bring oxygen into the body and release carbon dioxide; they are made up of lobes, bronchi/bronchioles (air tubes), and tiny air sacs (alveoli). Lung cancers generally arise from the lining cells of these structures.

Types of Lung Cancer

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

About 80–85% of cases; includes adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma. These cancers are often tested for actionable biomarkers (e.g., EGFR, ALK, ROS1, BRAF, MET, RET, NTRK, KRAS G12C) to guide targeted therapy and immunotherapy decisions.

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC)

About 10–15% of cases; tends to grow and spread more quickly and is staged as limited or extensive disease, with treatment approaches that differ from NSCLC.

Signs & Symptoms

Lung cancer may not cause symptoms until it is advanced. When present, symptoms can include:

Persistent cough, change in a chronic cough, or coughing up blood
Shortness of breath, wheezing, or chest pain
Hoarseness, recurrent bronchitis/pneumonia, unexplained weight loss, fatigue

Discuss any persistent or worsening symptoms with your clinician.

Risk Factors

Tobacco smoke (cigarettes, cigars, pipes) remains the leading cause; secondhand smoke also increases risk.
Radon exposure in homes; occupational exposures (e.g., asbestos, arsenic, chromium) and air pollution.
Personal/family history, prior chest radiation, and certain underlying lung diseases. Even people who never smoked can develop lung cancer.

Lower your risk: Don’t smoke, avoid secondhand smoke, test/mitigate radon, and follow workplace safety guidance. Your care team can connect you with smoking cessation resources.

Screening (Finding Lung Cancer Early)

Yearly low dose CT (LDCT) screening can reduce lung cancer deaths by finding cancers earlier. ACS recommends annual LDCT for adults 50–80 with a ≥20 pack year smoking history, whether they currently smoke or formerly smoked—without a years-since-quit limit. Discuss benefits/harms and whether screening is right for you.

Some organizations (e.g., USPSTF/CDC) still describe eligibility as ages 50–80, ≥20 pack years, and quit within the past 15 years; insurance coverage may follow these criteria. Your clinician can help navigate coverage and shared decision-making.

Diagnosis

If a scan or symptom suggests lung cancer, your Illinois CancerCare team may use:

(diagnostic chest CT; PET/CT to assess spread) and brain imaging in specific settings.

or image guided needle biopsy to obtain tissue.

Biomarker testing (for NSCLC) and PDL1 assessment, which can guide targeted therapy and immunotherapy choices.

Staging

NSCLC

Staged with the TNM system (tumor size/location, lymph nodes, metastasis) to define Stage 0–IV, which guides whether surgery, radiation, and/or systemic therapy are used.

SCLC

Generally categorized as limited stage (confined to one hemithorax and treatable within a single radiation field) or extensive-stage (spread beyond that); treatment and prognosis differ by stage.

Treatment Options

Your plan is personalized based on type (NSCLC vs SCLC), stage, biomarkers, overall health, and your goals. Care is coordinated by a multidisciplinary team (thoracic surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, pulmonology, radiology, pathology).

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

Surgery (for early-stage, operable tumors), often with lymph node evaluation; minimally invasive and robotic approaches may be used.
Radiation therapy, including SBRT (stereotactic body radiation) for small, inoperable tumors or as part of combined therapy.
Systemic therapy
Targeted therapies (for EGFR, ALK, ROS1, BRAF, MET, RET, NTRK, KRAS G12C, and others) for eligible tumors.
Immunotherapy (checkpoint inhibitors) used alone or with chemotherapy in appropriate stages; also in neoadjuvant/adjuvant settings per current PDQ guidance.

Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)

Chemotherapy plus immunotherapy is standard for extensive-stage disease; chemoradiation is typical for limited-stage. Prophylactic cranial irradiation may be considered selectively.

Your Illinois CancerCare physician will discuss the potential benefits and side effects of each option—and whether a clinical trial could offer additional choices.

Prognosis

Outcomes depend on type, stage, biomarkers, response to therapy, and overall health. Advances in early detection, minimally invasive surgery, precision-targeted drugs, and immunotherapy have improved survival for many people with lung cancer. Your doctor will explain what your individual features mean and what to expect from treatment.

Follow-Up & Survivorship

After treatment, follow-up may include:

Periodic imaging and clinic visits to monitor for recurrence and manage treatment effects
Smoking cessation support, vaccinations, and risk reduction counseling
Rehabilitation (pulmonary, nutrition, exercise), symptom control, and emotional/financial support resources

We’ll build a personalized survivorship plan and coordinate supportive services to help you live well during and after treatment.

Why Choose Illinois CancerCare

Multidisciplinary thoracic oncology expertise and seamless coordination of surgery, radiation, and systemic therapy
Access to leading-edge clinical trials close to home (including national biomarker-driven and immunotherapy studies)
Compassionate, patient-centered care focused on your goals and quality of life

Sources & Patient Friendly References

All information was taken from the NCI (National Cancer Institute), ACS (American Cancer Society), and the CDC (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Screening for Lung Cancer Guidelines.