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The American Cancer Society estimates there will be 172,570 new cases of lung cancer in the United States this year. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in America.

What is Lung Cancer?
The lining around the lungs, called the pleura, helps to protect the lungs and allows them to move during breathing. The windpipe brings air down into the lungs. It divides into tubes called bronchi.

Most lung cancers start in the lining of the bronchi. Lung cancer often takes many years to develop. First, there may be areas of pre-cancerous changes in the lung. These changes are not a mass or tumor. They can't be seen on an X-ray and they don't cause symptoms. But these changes can be found by special tests of cells in the lining of the airways of lungs damaged by smoke.

As these pre-cancerous areas go on to become true cancer, they may make chemicals that cause new blood vessels to form nearby. These new blood vessels nourish the cancer cells and allow a tumor to form. Finally, the tumor becomes large enough to be seen on an X-ray.

Our Lung & Thoracic Cancer Team
A diagnosis of lung cancer causes great concern for both the physician and the patient. The Lung and Thoracic Cancer Team at Carolinas HealthCare System brings together the expertise needed to ensure that each patient receives state-of-the-art diagnostic tests, evaluation and treatment.

The diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer is increasingly complex, but many exciting breakthroughs have improved the outlook for these patients. Beginning with the diagnosis, evaluation and treatment course and continuing through follow-up care, the lung cancer team experts guide the patient through their recovery journey.

For more information on the Lung and Thoracic Cancer Program and CMC-Mercy Lung Center, please click here.