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Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in one or both lungs. As they grow, the abnormal cells can form tumors and interfere with the functioning of the lung, which provides oxygen to the body via the blood.

According to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer is the second most common cancer in both men and women. Typically, lung cancer is more prominent in older individuals, with most cases being diagnosed past the age of 65. Lung cancer is by far the leading cause of cancer death among both men and women, making up almost 25% of all cancer deaths. Each year, more people die of lung cancer than of colon, breast, and prostate cancers combined.

Researchers have found several factors that increase your risk of lung cancer. Some that you can control include:

  • Tobacco smoke: smoking is the leading risk factor for lung cancer. It accounts for almost 80% of lung cancer deaths. Firsthand tobacco use isn’t the only risk. Secondhand smoke can increase your risk of developing lung cancer.
  • Cancer causing agents: exposure to cancer causing agents such as radon, asbestos, and workplace chemicals (radioactive ores, arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, silica, vinyl chloride, nickel compounds, chromium compounds, coal products, mustard gas, more) can increase your risk of developing lung cancer.
  • Certain dietary supplements: 2 large studies found that people who smoked who took beta carotene supplements actually had an increased risk of lung cancer. The results of these studies suggest that people who smoke should avoid taking beta carotene supplements.

Race: breast cancer is slightly more likely to develop in white females, than African-American, Hispanic, and Asian females. However, African-American females are more likely to develop more aggressive, more advanced-stage breast cancer that is diagnosed at a young age.

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The Most Common Symptoms of Lung Cancer Include:

  • A cough that does not go away or gets worse
  • Coughing up blood or rust-colored sputum (spit or phlegm)
  • Chest pain that is often worse with deep breathing, coughing, or laughing
  • Hoarseness
  • Loss of appetite
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Shortness of breath
  • Feeling tired or weak
  • Infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia that don’t go away or keep coming back
  • New onset of wheezing

Because these symptoms may overlap with those of other conditions, it is important to get the correct diagnosis to find the right treatment. Use the form below to talk to one of our specialist about your symptoms today.

Talk To A Team Member Today

We know you have a choice about where you get your cancer care but we hope you’ll choose us.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

337-769-8660

Treating Lung Cancer with Radiation

Radiation can be used before lung cancer surgery to shrink the tumor or after surgery to kill any cancer cells left in the lungs. Sometimes external radiation is used as the main type of lung cancer treatment. This is often the case for people who may not be healthy enough to have surgery or whose cancer has spread too far to have surgery. Radiation therapy for lung cancer also can be used to relieve symptoms caused by the cancer, such as pain, bleeding, or blockage of airways by the tumor. Treatments are scheduled Monday through Friday over the course of several weeks. In some cases, we can delivery higher doses of radiation in fewer treatments.

Your treatment is custom-tailored and unique to your diagnosis, tumor size, location and involvement. Your radiation oncologist (a doctor who specializes in treating cancer with radiation) will review all available treatment options and recommend a personalized plan for you based on national guidelines, which guide all cancer treatments. Radiation therapy is used either alone or in combination with other treatments such as chemotherapy and surgery. Radiation can be delivered either from outside the body with a machine called a linear accelerator (external beam radiation) or from a radiation source implanted permanently or temporarily in the body (brachytherapy).

Benefits of Radiation Therapy

  • Pain Free Treatment Delivery
  • Non-Invasive
  • Custom Tailored Treatment Plan
  • Little to No Side Effects
  • Immediate Return to Daily Activities
  • Minimal Radiation Exposure to Adjacent Healthy Tissue

Why Choose OncoLogics?

ADVANCED THERAPIES

We are committed to offering the most advanced treatments available. Our treatment plans follow national guidelines and are the same protocols as those used by top academic cancer centers.

TEAM OF EXPERTS

Our doctors, nurses, technical and support staff are experts in their fields. We work as one closely coordinated team and enjoy what we do.

PATIENT & FAMILY CENTERED

We’re not afraid to admit that we love our patients and families. And because of that, we approach each person as if they were one of our own family members. We believe in the power of a smile or hug to help someone get through a challenging day.

PERSONALIZED CARE

Some patients may need as little as five treatments. We’ll spend time with you to make sure you understand your diagnosis and which treatment plan best meets your needs.

Talk To A Team Member Today

We know you have a choice about where you get your cancer care but we hope you’ll choose us.