Learn About Cancer »Types of Cancer »Lung Cancer

What is Lung Cancer?

Lung cancer is a disease that develops in the lung tissues, usually in the cells lining air passages. There are 2 types of lung cancer: small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. Lung metastases occur when cancer spreads from its primary site to the lung.

A thin membrane called the pleura covers the outside of each lung and lines the inside wall of the chest cavity. This sac is known as the pleural cavity. Pleural disease results when cancerous cells grow in this sac. Mesothelioma is a rare, but serious, disease in which cancerous cells are found in the sac lining the chest or abdomen. Another rare, but related type of cancer, is Thymoma, when cancer grows in the tissues of the thymus, a small gland that lies under the breastbone.

Accurate Diagnosis for Lung Cancer

Determining the precise stage of your lung cancer is critical to planning the most effective treatment. Our doctors work closely with our world-class team of pathologists, such as specialized pulmonology pathologists, Douglas B. Flieder, MD and Arthur S. Patchefsky, MD. Their input is critical in providing an accurate diagnosis and the best lung cancer treatment plan designed just for you.

Early Detection of Pre-Cancerous and Cancerous Lesions

Our patients have access to medical, surgical and radiation oncologists, diagnostic radiologists, as well as the area's leading pulmonologists. Dr. Michael Unger specializes in early detection of pre-malignant and malignant lesions as well as lung metastases.

Why Fox Chase is Among Best Lung Cancer Treatment Centers

If you are diagnosed with lung cancer, you want the prognosis - but your first step should be to learn all of your treatment options. Depending on your type of lung cancer, treatment may include surgery, radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy for lung cancer. Specialists at Philadelphia's Fox Chase Cancer Center are among the nation's best, offering treatment for inoperable lung cancer, cancer recurrence (the cancer coming back) and complex cases.
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Leaders in Lung Cancer Research

At Fox Chase, we've built our lung cancer program on years of translational science and clinical research. Our nationally recognized physicians and other specialists direct and participate in national lung cancer detection and therapy clinical trials, developing some of these studies right here at Fox Chase.

Clinical trials are available for early-stage, locally advanced and metastatic (disease that has spread) types of small-cell lung cancer and non-small-cell lung cancer, as well as for patients with multiple primary sites and those with marginal pulmonary function.

For more information about lung cancer treatment and prevention at Fox Chase Cancer Center or to make an appointment, call 1-888-FOX CHASE (1-888-369-2427).