What is Lung Cancer?

What Causes Lung Cancer?

Lung cancer is associated with several risk factors, including:

Tobacco Exposure

Most lung cancer cases are linked to:

• Smoking
• Previous tobacco use
• Secondhand smoke exposure

Environmental Exposures

Other exposures that may increase risk include:

• Radon gas
• Asbestos
• Air pollutants
• Poorly ventilated smoke exposure

Genetics

Some patients may have a genetic predisposition to lung cancer, although many cases are associated with environmental or carcinogenic exposures.

Can Non-Smokers Get Lung Cancer?

Yes. Some patients diagnosed with lung cancer have never smoked and may not have obvious risk factors.

Lung cancer in non-smokers may still be associated with:

• Environmental exposures
• Secondhand smoke
• Genetic factors
• Other carcinogenic exposures

What Are the Symptoms of Lung Cancer?

Symptoms may include:

• Persistent cough
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Coughing up blood
• Fatigue
• Unexplained weight loss
• Malaise

One challenge with lung cancer is that symptoms often do not appear until the disease is more advanced.

Why Is Lung Cancer Sometimes Difficult to Detect?

Many lung cancer symptoms overlap with more common conditions such as:

• Asthma
• Bronchitis
• Emphysema

Because these conditions are more common, doctors may evaluate them first before investigating for lung cancer.

If symptoms persist or worsen despite treatment, further testing may be necessary.

How Is Lung Cancer Found Early?

Early-stage lung cancers are often detected:

• Through lung cancer screening
• Incidentally on imaging studies
• During CT scans or chest X-rays performed for unrelated reasons

Finding lung cancer early may increase the likelihood of curative treatment.

How Is Lung Cancer Treated?

Treatment often involves a multidisciplinary team that may include:

• Thoracic surgeons
• Medical oncologists
• Radiation oncologists
• Pulmonologists

Treatment options vary depending on:

• Tumor type
• Cancer stage
• Overall patient health

About Dr. Michaela Straznicka

Dr. Michaela Straznicka is a board-certified thoracic surgeon at BASS Medical Group specializing in lung cancer evaluation, minimally invasive thoracic surgery, robotic-assisted surgery, and thoracic oncology care.

Video Transcript

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States.

The patients who suffer from lung cancer can have a variety of different tumor types, and we do subclassify it into different tumor types.

The treatment for lung cancer is complicated and involves many specialties working together.

Eighty-five percent of patients who have lung cancer have some exposure to tobacco, whether personal tobacco use or secondhand smoke exposure.

However, 15% of patients have no known risk factors.

There are other risk factors associated with lung cancer, specifically environmental exposures to asbestos and radon gas.

Some studies suggest that the use of wood-burning fireplaces in poorly ventilated areas can contribute to lung cancer.

The challenge with lung cancer is that oftentimes, by the time patients present with symptoms, they have developed pretty advanced cancer.

The most common symptoms include cough, shortness of breath, coughing up blood, weight loss, malaise, and overall fatigue.

Early-stage lung cancers are often found by accident or through screenings, and those patients have a higher chance of having curable cancer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you get lung cancer if you never smoked?

Yes. Some patients with lung cancer have no history of smoking.

What are early warning signs of lung cancer?

Persistent cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, and coughing up blood can be warning signs.

What is the leading cause of lung cancer?

Tobacco exposure remains the leading risk factor for lung cancer.

Why is lung cancer often diagnosed late?

Symptoms may not appear until the cancer has progressed or spread.