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Lung cancer

Lung cancer is the third most common type of cancer in the UK. Unfortunately, lung cancer is also the most common cause of cancer death, which is why it is important to detect it early.

Reviewed by Dr Crispin Hiley, Consultant Clinical Oncologist

At a glance

What is lung cancer?

Lung cancer is the third most common cancer in the UK. Primary lung cancer begins in the trachea (windpipe), main airway (bronchus), or lung tissue. Cancer that has spread to the lungs from elsewhere in the body is known as secondary lung cancer.

There are two types of lung cancer: non-small-cell and small-cell. The treatment you receive depends on what type of cancer you have.

Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the more common of the two, accounting for around 80 - 85% of cases. There are different types of NSCLC, but the main two are adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.

Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) accounts for around 10 - 15% of cases and often spreads quickly to other parts of the body.

Most cases of lung cancer are caused by smoking. If you are a heavy smoker, or have been in the past, you should have a lung health screening to monitor your lungs.

However, it is important to note that the incidence of lung cancer is increasing in patients who have never smoked. Often, lung cancers that develop in people who have never smoked have specific mutations (genetic changes). There are targeted drug therapies available for these types of cancer.

Risk factors for lung cancer

Anyone can develop lung cancer, but you may be more at risk if:

You are over 50 years of age
You smoke tobacco
You have been exposed to chemicals such as asbestos, silica and diesel exhaust fumes
You have been exposed to radon gas
You live in an area with high levels of air pollution
You have another lung disease, like COPD
You have a family history of lung cancer.

Symptoms of lung cancer

Lung cancer symptoms include:

Persistent coughing
Breathlessness
Coughing up blood, or phlegm with blood in it
An ache or pain in the chest or shoulder
Persistent chest infections
Unexplained fatigue
Loss of appetite and weight loss.

Many people do not display symptoms in the early stages of lung cancer.

Lung Health Check

If you are over 50, currently smoke, or have a history of heavy smoking, you should have a lung cancer screening.

Our Lung Cancer Check provides a comprehensive overview of your lung health and includes a consultation with a respiratory expert, a low-dose one-part CT scan, and your results assessed by our multidisciplinary team.

Find out more about Lung Health Checks >

Diagnostic tests for lung cancer

If your GP suspects that you may have lung cancer, you will be recommended some of the following tests:

Chest X-ray – A chest X-ray is usually the initial test used to look for suspected lung cancer. If a tumour is present, it presents as a white-grey mass on the scan. However, it is impossible to differentiate between lung cancer and other conditions, so further tests are required for a full diagnosis to be made.
CT scan – A special type of CT scan, called a CT scan with contrast, is often used. For a CT scan with contrast, you will be injected with a contrasting agent, which helps create highly detailed images of your lungs. Sometimes a biopsy is performed at the same time as a CT.
PET-CT scan – This type of scan may be used if you are diagnosed with lung cancer, as it helps your consultant assess where the active cancer cells are and the best method of treatment.
Bronchoscopy and biopsy – A bronchoscopy is a short procedure that uses an instrument called a bronchoscope to assess your airways. If required, a small sample of cells may be taken at the same time.

You may be recommended an MRI scan if it is suspected that your cancer has spread.

Stages of lung cancer

Non-small-cell lung cancer

If you are diagnosed with non-small-cell lung cancer, your consultant will decide what stage you are at using a staging system called TNM:

Tumour – the size of the tumour
Node – the location of cancer cells in the lymph nodes
Metastasis – whether your cancer has spread.

Small-cell lung cancer

Small-cell lung cancer also uses the TNM staging system, but the most clinically useful definition is:

Limited disease – where the cancer is only in the lung, or nearby lymph nodes, and can be treated with radiotherapy
Extensive disease – where the cancer has spread to further-away lymph nodes, or other areas of the body, and cannot be treated with radiotherapy.

Lung cancer treatment

The type of treatment you have depends on the type of lung cancer you have, its size and location, and what stage it is at. Your general health will also be taken into account.

You may be recommended any of the following treatments:

Surgery – used to remove either part or all of the lung. This includes lobectomy, pneumonectomy, and segmentectomy (wedge resection).
Radiotherapy – used to destroy cancer cells. External beam radiotherapy is the most common type used for lung cancer. This is often given in combination with chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy – a group of cytotoxic (anti-cancer) drugs used to destroy cancer cells.
Immunotherapy – a type of cancer therapy used to stimulate the immune system and destroy cancer cells.
Radiofrequency ablation – sometimes used to treat early stage non-small-cell lung cancer.
Palliative care – used to help relieve the side effects of cancer or cancer treatment.

Treatments are carried out at the Integrated Cancer Campus, our internationally recognised oncology department. We provide the latest treatments using state-of-the-art equipment, as well as being home to Europe's most advanced radiotherapy centre with an MRIdian MR Linac.

You will be under the world-class care of some of the UK's most sought-after oncologists, surgeons, and respiratory specialists.

Private lung cancer consultants in London

Showing 1-6 of 17

Dr James Wilson

Consultant Clinical Oncologist

Clinical oncology, Lung, Skin

Dr Crispin Hiley

Consultant Clinical Oncologist

Clinical oncology

Dr Anne Mier

Consultant in Respiratory Medicine

Respiratory medicine

Dr Doraid Alrifai

Consultant Medical Oncologist

Medical oncology, Urology, Lung

Miss May Al-Sahaf

Consultant Thoracic Surgeon

Cardiothoracic surgery, Thoracic

Dr Stephen Mangar

Consultant Clinical Oncologist

Clinical oncology

Professor Christopher Nutting

Consultant Clinical Oncologist

Clinical oncology

Dr John Conibear

Consultant Clinical Oncologist

Clinical oncology, Breast, Lung

Mr Simon Jordan

Consultant Thoracic Surgeon

Cardiothoracic surgery, Thoracic surgery

Professor Michael Seckl

Consultant Medical Oncologist

Medical oncology

Mr Andrew Chukwuemeka

Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon

Cardiothoracic surgery

Dr Jaymin Morjaria

Consultant in Respiratory Medicine

Respiratory medicine

Mr Andrea Bille

Consultant Thoracic Surgeon

Cardiothoracic surgery, Thoracic surgery, Robotic Surgery

Dr Brian O’Connor

Consultant in Respiratory Medicine

Respiratory medicine

Dr Alex Martin

Consultant Oncologist

Clinical oncology, Lung, Urology

Dr Jason Chow

Consultant Medical Oncologist

Medical oncology, Hepatobiliary, Upper GI

Dr Amit Patel

Consultant in Respiratory Medicine

Respiratory medicine

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Lung cancer

At a glance

What is lung cancer?

Lung Health Check

Diagnostic tests for lung cancer

Lung cancer treatment