CyberKnife Treatment Center in Los Angeles, CA
Lung cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer, affecting more than a quarter of a million people this year alone. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with lung cancer, we know how devastating that can feel – but you’re never alone. Pasadena CyberKnife Center provides world-class cancer treatments from a state-of-the-art cancer treatment center, and we’re proud to use noninvasive CyberKnife to treat lung cancer. The first step to beating cancer is education, and we’ve compiled a list of common questions about lung cancer and their answers to help you get started.
Common Questions About Lung Cancer
What is lung cancer?
Lung cancer refers to any cancerous tumor or growth that forms in the lungs. Lung cancer may be primary, which means the tumor forms in the cells of the lungs, or secondary (metastatic), which means the tumor spread to the lungs from another part of the body. However, primary lung cancer is the most common.
What causes lung cancer?
By far, the most significant cause of lung cancer is smoking. Smoking cigarettes, cigars, or pipe tobacco vastly increases the likelihood that you will develop lung cancer and is the primary cause of lung cancer in the US. Other risk factors for lung cancer include exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke, exposure to thirdhand smoke, exposure to radon, exposure to asbestos, air pollution, and a family history of lung cancer.
Should I get lung cancer screenings?
Preventive lung cancer screening can help to catch lung cancer at an early stage, when the chances of treating it are highest. Your insurance company may pay for yearly preventive screenings, but generally will do so only if you meet some of the following criteria:
Between age 55 and 77
A 30 pack-year history of smoking (equivalent to smoking a pack per day for 30 years)
Are currently a smoker or quit smoking within the past 15 years
What are the symptoms of lung cancer?
Unfortunately, lung cancer often doesn’t produce symptoms until an advanced stage, and many people diagnosed with lung cancer don’t realize they have an issue until the diagnosis. That said, lung cancer can produce a range of symptoms, including:
- Coughing
- Getting winded easily or having shortness of breath, particularly if this was not an issue before
- Chest pain
- Unexplained weight loss
- Hoarseness or lost voice
- Pain in the bones
- Persistent headaches
How dangerous is lung cancer?
Unfortunately, lung cancer has a relatively low overall survival rate because it’s rarely caught early on. The five-year survival rate for lung cancer of all stages is 17.8%, but this number rises to 54% if the cancer is caught before spreading beyond the lungs. However, for advanced lung cancer that has spread throughout the body, the 5-year survival rate is just 4%.
What are the treatment options for lung cancer?
Treatment options vary widely, and every patient will have a unique treatment recommendation based on the specifics of their case. However, the most common treatments for lung cancer include:
- Surgery
- Radiation Therapy (CyberKnife)
- Chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy
- Targeted Therapy
Contact Your Pasadena Cancer Clinic
Fighting lung cancer is one of life’s most challenging battles, but Pasadena CyberKnife Center is here to help you do it. We’re proud to offer expert cancer treatments to patients facing even the most serious cases of cancer – and if you’re ready to get started on the road to recovery, we’re ready to help. Contact us today to learn more about our treatment options and schedule your consultation. We look forward to helping you beat cancer and reclaim a healthy, normal life.