- Patients
- Exploring cancer care
- Conditions we treat
- Lung cancer
What is lung cancer?
Chapter 1
What is lung cancer?
The lungs are the main organs for breathing and are part of the respiratory system that includes the nose, mouth, windpipe and airways (large airways, bronchi; smaller airways, bronchioles) to each lung. Lung cancer is a cancerous tumour in the tissue of one or both of the lungs.
Primary lung cancer starts in the lungs.
Secondary or metastatic lung cancer can start somewhere else in the body and spread to the lungs.
Less common types of lung cancers
Less common lung cancers can form in the chest area. These are called ‘thoracic cancers’.
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that affects the covering of the lung, called the pleura. It’s almost always caused by exposure to asbestos.
Primary lung cancer is split into two groups:
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) – the most common type
Types of non-small cell lung cancer include:
- Adenocarcinoma – starts in the mucus and affects the smaller airways
- Squamous cell carcinoma – mainly affects the cells that line the tubes into the lungs. It tends to grow in the centre of the lung. It’s usually caused by smoking
- Large cell carcinoma or undifferentiated carcinoma – cancer affecting large round cells
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) – This is less common (about 1 in 10 lung cancers). It mainly affects smokers and is very rare in people who’ve never smoked.
SCLC tends to start in the middle of the lungs and usually spreads more quickly than NSCLC.
Symptoms
Chapter 02
Symptoms
Common lung cancer symptoms include:
- A persistent cough that gets worse
- Shortness of breath
- Weight loss
- Feeling very tired
- Coughing up blood
- Hoarse voice
- Wheezing
- Regular or persistent chest infections
Sometimes the symptoms of lung cancer can be mistaken for other conditions. This can delay getting a diagnosis. This means that by the time it’s caught, the cancer may already be at an advanced stage.
Treatments we offer?
Chapter 03
Treatments we offer
Radiation therapy kills cancer cells. It’s used in the early stages of cancer treatment or after it has started to spread. It can also be used to relieve pain and discomfort from cancer that has spread.
There are many ways to have radiation therapy but they all work in a similar way. Carefully controlled high-energy X-rays destroy or damage cancer cells. This stops them growing or spreading.
Chemotherapy is medication that treats your cancer. The drugs kill cancer cells, preventing them from dividing and spreading further.
Helpful resources
Chapter 04
Helpful resources
We understand that you may still have some unanswered questions, and we’re here to help you in any way we can. But if you are still seeking answers visit Targeting Cancer for further information about this condition or contact a staff member from a centre near you.
Disclaimer
Any procedure including treatments involving radiation carry risks, including skin irritation and associated pain. Before proceeding with a referral for treatment, patients should be advised to seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner. As in any medical procedure, patient experiences and outcomes will vary.
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Treatment
Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy may be offered in the early stages of cancer treatment, or after it has started to spread. There are different radiation therapy techniques which may be suitable for different cancer types at different stages.

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Across Australia, the UK, the USA, and Spain we have over 440 oncology, cardiology & sleep medicine centres.

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Our doctors
GenesisCare attracts and retains some of the most experienced doctors in the country.