Lung Cancer

Why choose us for lung cancer care?

Lung cancer occurs when abnormal growths (tumors) invade healthy tissue. If lung cancer touches your life, turn to our experts. The highly skilled team of lung cancer doctors at Mays Cancer Center, home to UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson, includes doctors who have additional training through fellowships.

You’ll have access to treatments that are among the most advanced, including sophisticated surgical procedures and cancer-fighting drugs. And because our doctors offer years of experience, both individually and as a team, you can be confident that you’re receiving among the latest care, tailored to your needs. Find out more about our lung cancer program.

What you need to know about lung cancer

• Lung cancer typically affects smokers, especially individuals who smoke several packs a day for many years. But people with no history of tobacco use can also get the disease.
• Non-small cell lung cancer, specifically adenocarcinoma, is the most common type of lung cancer. Many treatments are available.
• Coming to a comprehensive program such as ours opens the door to support and therapies that are among the most advanced.

How to talk to your doctor about lung cancer?

It’s natural to have many questions after receiving a lung cancer diagnosis. Our personalized approach includes taking time to answer these questions and explain what comes next. You might want to ask your doctor about:

• Further testing you might need to inform your diagnosis or lung cancer treatment suggestions
• Cancer stage, tumor size, whether it has spread and what it means for your long-term health
• Treatment options, including any lung cancer clinical trials you may be eligible for
• Side effects of treatment and how you can lessen the impact of side effects on your daily life
• Support to help you cope with the ways cancer may affect your mind, body and spirit

Bringing a friend or loved one with you to appointments gives you an extra voice in your care. This person can help you make an important decision and remember key details.

Types

We specialize in treating rare and common forms of lung cancer, including:

• Small-cell carcinoma is a fast-growing lung cancer. Of all types of lung cancer, it is most likely to spread.
• Non-small cell lung cancer, including:
  • Adenocarcinoma, which develops in the smaller airways within the lungs.
  • Squamous cell carcinoma, which starts in the cells lining the airways.
• Mesothelioma affects the tissue lining in the lungs. It stems from exposure to toxic materials like asbestos.
• Rare lung cancers occur less frequently and include neuroendocrine tumors.

Lung cancer surgeons also deliver care for patients with esophageal cancer. This type of cancer affects esophagus, the hollow tube connecting the back of your throat to the top of your stomach. Read more about esophageal cancer.

Symptoms

Early-stage lung cancer often has no symptoms. Screening tests allow us to detect abnormal growths in earlier stages, so you receive timely care. Find out more about lung cancer screening.

Symptoms of more advanced lung cancer include:

• Mild cough that does not get better
• Shortness of breath
• Unexpected weight loss

Diagnosis

We evaluate suspicious lung growths using advanced imaging tests, such as a positron emission tomography (PET) scan. This test uses safe levels of radioactive substances to identify abnormal cell activity that may signal cancer.

You may also need a procedure from an interventional pulmonologist. These specialists use sophisticated technologies and imaging to examine lung problems, including cancer. Read more about diagnosing cancer.

Treatment

If we catch lung cancer in earlier stages, treatment often includes surgery. We may use other therapies to destroy remaining cancer cells and reduce the risk of cancer coming back. For more advanced cancers, your care may include cancer-fighting drugs (chemotherapy) and radiation therapy instead of surgery. Get more information about cancer treatments.

A lung cancer diagnosis and treatment side effects can bring challenges to your life. Our team is here for you. We can help relieve discomfort and solve problems related to your care. Find out more about supportive care.

Research and clinical trials

Clinical trials bring innovative care options that are not widely available close to home. You may be eligible for clinical trials that test innovative care methods, including new cancer drugs.

Read more about cancer research and clinical trials.