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Lung cancer starts when abnormal cells grow out of control in the lungs, airways (bronchi) or windpipe (trachea). These cells can form tumours and interfere with the normal functioning of the lungs, including the ability to breathe. Cancer that starts in the lungs is called primary lung cancer, whereas cancer that starts somewhere else and then spreads to the lungs is called secondary lung cancer or lung metastases.
Smoking is the biggest risk factor—linked to ~85% of cases.
However, non-smokers can also develop lung cancer due to:
Anyone can get lung cancer, even without risk factors. Always see a doctor if you have symptoms.
Lung cancer does not always cause symptoms, especially in the early stages. But diagnosing the disease early gives the best outcomes, so see a doctor quickly if ever you notice symptoms.
Signs of lung cancer include:
Having one or more of these symptoms doesn’t always mean you have lung cancer, as other conditions can cause them too. But lung symptoms always need to be checked by a doctor and you may still need treatment to help your symptoms, regardless of the cause.
If you're concerned about lung cancer, see your GP as soon as possible who may arrange for you to have some tests to help decide if you need to see a specialist such as a pulmonologist or search for an oncologist at ioncosolutions.com.
There are two main types of lung cancer, which are diagnosed depending on the type of cell the cancer started in. It’s helpful to know which one you have, as the staging and treatment approaches differ between the two.
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) – most common (~85% of cases)
The most common type of lung cancer is non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which includes two main subtypes of cancer named after the cells they affect:
Depending on the stage, NSCLC can be treated with surgery or ra diotherapy, which may be given with chemotherapy or immunotherapy.
EGFR mutation positive lung cancer is a type of lung cancer. It’s called EGFR mutation positive if every cancer cell carries a mutation in the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) gene.
You’re more likely to have EGFR mutation positive lung cancer if you:
Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) – tends to grow and spread faster
Small-cell lung cancer gets its name because the cells appear much smaller when viewed under a microscope by a pathologist. It’s a less common type of lung cancer.
Small-cell lung cancer is usually not treated with surgery unless it’s found at a very early stage. Your treatment plan may combine chemotherapy, radiotherapy or immunotherapy.
If lung cancer is suspected, doctors may use:
Staging is done to see how far the cancer has spread, which guides treatment.
Lung cancer staging describes how far the cancer has spread, which is used to decide the best possible treatment plan.
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has four possible stages:
It is possible to cure non-small cell lung cancer when it is stage I-III. The care of patients with stage-IV lung cancer is more focused on treating and managing the cancer.
There are only two stages to describe Small-Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC):
Limited Stage small cell lung cancer can be cured in some patients. The care of patients with Extensive Stage small cell lung cancer is more focused on treating and managing the cancer.
Staging for NSCLC: Adapted from TNM Classification- 9th edition – 2025.
T-Staging
Lymph Nodal Staging
Metastatic M Staging
Treatment depends on the type, stage, and patient’s overall health. Options may include:
Treatment usually combines two or more types of therapy for best results, which depend on the stage and type of cancer.
After treatment, regular check-ups are important to monitor recovery and detect any signs of recurrence early.
AI is increasingly utilized to enhance the accuracy of lung cancer screening. For instance, a 63-year-old woman in Georgia underwent a preventive CT scan that revealed a small lung lesion. AI software assessed the lesion's likelihood of being cancerous, prompting further testing and leading to the early detection of stage 1B lung cancer. This early intervention allowed for a lobectomy without the need for chemotherapy or radiation, highlighting AI's potential in saving lives through early detection.
ENB is a minimally invasive procedure that uses electromagnetic technology to guide physicians to peripheral lung lesions. By creating a 3D map from CT scans, ENB enables precise biopsy and staging of lung cancers, improving diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes.
Liquid biopsy is an emerging non-invasive method for detecting lung cancer by analysing biomarkers such as circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) in blood samples. This approach offers a promising alternative to traditional tissue biopsies, facilitating early detection and monitoring of treatment responses.
Johnson & Johnson received FDA approval for a combination therapy, Rybrevant and Lazcluze, as the first chemotherapy-free treatment for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with specific EGFR mutations. This combination has shown a 30% reduction in disease progression or death compared to the current standard treatment, offering a more targeted and less toxic option for patients. New York Post+2MarketWatch+2Wikipedia+2
A new drug combination, amivantamab and lazertinib, has demonstrated a 40% increase in effectiveness over the standard treatment for advanced NSCLC. In clinical trials, this combination extended progression-free survival by an average of 23.7 months, significantly improving patient outcomes. New York Post
Sugemalimab, an anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody, was approved for use in combination with chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of metastatic NSCLC without certain genetic mutations. This approval provides an additional immunotherapy option for patients, enhancing the arsenal of treatments available for lung cancer. Wikipedia
Ensartinib, an ALK inhibitor, was approved for the treatment of ALK-positive locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC. This oral medication offers a new targeted therapy for patients with specific genetic alterations, providing a more personalized treatment approach. MarketWatch+2Wikipedia+2Wikipedia+2
Repotrectinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, was approved for ROS1-positive NSCLC. This treatment targets a specific genetic mutation, offering a tailored therapy option for patients with this rare alteration. WikipediaWikipedia
Zenocutuzumab, a bispecific antibody targeting HER2 and HER3, was approved for the treatment of NSCLC and pancreatic cancer with neuregulin 1 gene fusions. This first-in-class medication provides a new treatment avenue for patients with this specific genetic profile. Wikipedia
Researchers at King's College London and GSK are developing lab-grown miniature tumour replicas, or "organoids," derived from patients' tumours. These organoids replicate the unique genetic mutations of each individual's cancer, allowing for the testing of various treatments to predict relapses and identify effective therapies. In future this approach aims to personalize treatment plans and improve patient outcomes. The Times
These advancements signify a transformative period in lung cancer care, emphasizing early detection, personalized treatment, and innovative technologies.
Vapes are an alternative to cigarettes, but whether they carry a risk of cancer is still unclear. They’re a relatively new product and more long-term studies are needed to understand how vaping affects your risk of lung cancer.
However, what we know already is that many vapes contain chemicals known to cause cancer, including:
Long-term studies will reveal whether vaping has a lower risk of lung cancer compared to smoking. Vaping may increase your risk of lung cancer compared to not vaping or smoking at all. However, vaping can be a helpful way to support people as they quit smoking.
Lung cancer has better outcomes when it’s diagnosed at stage 1, which is when it’s only in one lung and hasn’t spread to distant parts of the body.
The majority of patients diagnosed with stage 1 lung cancer will live for 5 years or more after their diagnosis.
There are treatments available for lung cancer at all stages, which range from intensive treatments to palliative care.
Lung cancer that has spread outside the lungs is called stage 4 lung cancer, advanced lung cancer, or metastatic lung cancer.
The most common places for lung cancer to spread are:
You can search your Lung Cancer Specialist on www.ioncosolutions.com