Can You Survive Lung Cancer?

Lung cancer may have no symptoms in the early stages. When symptoms occur, they may include:

• Shortness of breath
• Breathing problems
• Persistent or worsening cough
• Coughing up blood or rust-colored sputum
• Chest pain that may be worse with deep breathing, coughing, or laughing
• Wheezing
• Hoarseness
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Loss of appetite
• Unexplained weight loss
• Respiratory infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia that don’t go away or come back

Smoking is the main cause of all types of lung cancer. It is responsible for 80% of all lung cancer deaths and many deaths from exposure to secondhand smoke. Smokers exposed to radon and asbestos are at higher risk. 

In non-smokers, causes of lung cancer include:

• Secondhand smoke exposure
• Workplace exposure to asbestos, diesel exhaust, or other chemicals 
• Air pollution
• Exposure to radon
• Genetic changes

Symptoms of lung cancer often do not occur until the cancer is advanced and The American Cancer Society provides lung cancer screening guidelines for people with a higher risk of developing lung cancer, such as smokers. 

The American Cancer Society recommends people who are 55 to 74 years old, are in fairly good health, are current smokers or who have quit in the past 15 years, and have smoked a certain number of cigarettes per day should receive regular lung cancer screenings. A test called a low-dose CAT scan or CT scan (LDCT) is typically used. 

If lung cancer is suspected, imaging tests may be used to confirm a diagnosis, such as:

• Chest X-ray
• Computed tomography (CT) scan
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Positron emission tomography (PET) scan
• Bone scan

Lab tests used to diagnose lung cancer include:

• Blood tests
  • Complete blood count (CBC) 
  • Blood chemistry
• Lung function tests
• Sputum cytology 
• Tissue biopsy 
• Thoracentesis 
• Bronchoscopy masses
• Endobronchial ultrasound 
• Endoscopic esophageal ultrasound
• Mediastinoscopy and mediastinotomy
• Thoracoscopy
• Molecular tests for gene changes 
• Tests for certain proteins on tumor cells

Treatments for lung cancer may include:

• Surgery to remove the tumor, the lobe of the lung that has the tumor, a smaller piece of the lung, or removal of the entire lung
• Photodynamic therapy (PDT)
• Laser therapy
• Radiation therapy
• Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) 
• Lymph node removal
• Chemotherapy 
• Targeted therapy
• Immunotherapy 
• Participation in clinical trials

Stage IV lung cancers have spread widely (metastasized) and can be difficult to treat and cure. The treatments listed above may be used to help patients live longer, but they are unlikely to cure the disease at this stage.