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Lung Cancer & Other Thoracic Cancers

With the latest diagnostic tools and innovative treatments at the ready, the Lung and Thoracic Cancer Care Team at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center will talk to you about your options and collaborate to design the best possible treatment plan for you.

Thoracic cancers are any cancers that begin inside your chest cavity. The most common thoracic cancer is lung cancer, which is also the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in South Carolina. The experts on our team specialize in identifying and treating lung cancer and a variety of other thoracic cancers:

  • Non-small cell lung cancer (84% of lung cancer diagnoses).
  • Small cell lung cancer.
  • Thymus cancer, which forms in the thymus gland, where T-cells mature.
  • Esophageal cancer and Barrett’s esophagus.
  • Chest wall and mediastinal tumors.
  • Pleural cancers like mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer that affects the tissues lining your chest.

Our multidisciplinary team includes pulmonologists, oncologists, radiation oncologists, surgeons, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and researchers. Our experts don’t stop at providing top-notch care — they’re also working tirelessly to discover the next cutting-edge treatments. A novel combination immunotherapy treatment developed at Hollings for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that has continued to grow after initial treatment is now being tested through a nationwide clinical trial. And Hollings is expanding access to lung cancer screenings for veterans and medically underrepresented groups so that potential lung cancers can be diagnosed and treated earlier.

If you're facing a lung cancer diagnosis, we’re here for you

At Hollings, we know a lung cancer diagnosis can be a life changing event. We are here to support you through your journey. Call 843-792-9300 and make an appointment. Experience what sets us apart.

graphic that says Hollings Cancer Center is rated by U.S. News & World Report as a high performing hospital for lung cancer surgery in 2022-23

In good hands

You know you're in good hands at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center, the state’s only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center. Here, you have access to the latest innovations in cancer treatment, including clinical trials, advanced surgical techniques, support services and survivorship planning. You can rest easy knowing we hold national rankings for cancer care and take a leadership role in cancer research and prevention.

The Hollings difference

What is lung cancer?

Lung cancer is the third most common cancer in the U.S. and the most common type of thoracic cancer. It accounts for more cancer deaths than any other type of cancer.

A full 90% of lung cancers are linked to smoking. The best way to prevent lung cancer is to not smoke, or to quit if you do smoke. We offer you help quitting through our Smoking Cessation Program and the Tobacco Treatment Program. Long-time smokers can benefit from annual screenings, which can catch lung cancer early when it hasn’t spread and is easier to treat. 

Have more questions about lung cancer? Check out our answers to common questions.

Lung cancer symptoms

In early stages, lung cancer and other thoracic cancers often have no signs or symptoms, making them hard to diagnose. While symptoms of lung and thoracic cancer will vary depending on the type and location, possible signs can include:

  • A new cough that won’t go away or gets worse
  • Changes in a cough you’ve had for a while such as bringing up rusty-looking or bloody mucus
  • Chest pain that gets worse when you laugh, cough or take a deep breath
  • New or frequent heartburn, indigestion or vomiting
  • Unusual tiredness or weakness
  • Shortness of breath or wheezing
  • Hoarse voice
  • Unusual weight loss or having no appetite

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it's important to talk with your doctor to make sure they do not indicate cancer. An imaging test like an X-ray, ultra-sound, computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can help identify any unusual areas in your chest, and a needle biopsy can confirm whether or not there are any cancer cells present.

 

Our grandchildren are growing as fast as we can turn around. Another good reason why I quit smoking was to watch them grow up.

Gary Davis, lung cancer survivor

Gary's story
an older woman and man sit together outside their house

What may have been a life-ending diagnosis with our parents or grandparents is not now. We have changed the impossible to possible, and I think MUSC is doing their share of making that happen.

Robert Shields, lung cancer survivor

Robert's story
Robert Shields stands outside

Less than a ten percent survival chance from esophageal cancer and then stage three lung cancer, and I’m still here. The doctors, nurses and staff know what they’re doing, and they are here to help you.

Rick Hunt, esophageal cancer survivor

Rick's story
Rick Hunt sits outside

 

Lung cancer treatment

Dr. Mariam Alexander

The number of people who survive and thrive after receiving a lung or thoracic cancer diagnosis is steadily rising thanks to greater awareness, fewer people smoking, better early detection, and advances in treatment.

Our Lung and Thoracic Cancer Care Team offers the highest quality, most advanced cancer treatments available today. Our team of specialists uses state-of-the-art technology and procedures to determine the stage and size of your cancer and whether it has spread to other areas.

Usually, treating lung cancer and other thoracic cancers calls for combining several therapies such as surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy. Your personalized treatment plan is customized to fit the location of your cancer, its stage, and your age and general health. Your treatment options may also include the possibility of receiving a unique, new therapy through one of our lung cancer clinical trials.

Our lung cancer nurse navigator, Claudia Miller, BSN, RN, OCN, ONN-CG, will help you understand what to expect during treatment and answer questions you may have.

Our experts with specialized training in oncology, radiology, and lung and thoracic surgery work together with you to design a comprehensive, customized treatment plan that may include: 

Radiation Therapy

  • Advanced technologies such as hypofractionated treatment allow us to treat certain lung and other thoracic cancers with shorter periods of radiation, which is often more convenient and just as effective as older radiation methods.
  • The latest radiation therapies such as TomoTherapy and brachytherapy minimize the impact on healthy tissues.

Surgery

  • Specially trained surgeons and operating room staff provide the widest range of surgical techniques for every stage and type of lung cancer and other thoracic cancers including: Curative Surgery, Preventive Surgery, Diagnostic Surgery, Staging Surgery, Debulking Surgery, Palliative Surgery, Supportive Surgery, and Reconstructive Surgery.
  • Minimally invasive surgery uses laparoscopic or robotic tools and cameras to do complex procedures through small incisions instead of a large incision. These specialized procedures allow our team to:
    o Reduce damage to nearby healthy tissue
    o Reduce pain
    o Reduce infection risk
    o Shorten recovery time
  • Robotic surgery uses our state-of-the-art da Vinci® Surgical System for the highest level of surgical precision that also helps shorten your recovery time.

Medical Management

  • Immunotherapy harnesses your own immune system to fight lung and other thoracic tumors. It is often used along with chemotherapy and is given through a vein in your arm or hand.
  • Targeted drug therapy is used to kill cells with cancerous features throughout your body when your cancer has spread to other areas. Targeted drug therapies for lung cancer and other thoracic cancers include hormone therapies, signal transduction inhibitors, gene expression modulators, apoptosis inducers, angiogenesis inhibitors, immunotherapies, and toxin delivery molecules.
Dr. John Wrangle

Our team of world-renowned scientists and doctors continuously participate in groundbreaking research and clinical trials to advance what is possible for treating lung cancer and other thoracic cancers. Some recent projects include:

In addition, our Lung Transdisciplinary Cancer Team brings together experts from different research areas to collaborate on ongoing lung and thoracic cancer research projects.

As South Carolina’s only NCI-designated cancer center, Hollings offers you clinical trials and treatments that aren’t available anywhere else in the state. These opportunities provide you with access to the latest medications, therapies, and surgical techniques that can improve your outcomes. Learn more about clinical trials at Hollings and see our current lung and thoracic cancer clinical trials.

smiling physical therapist works on a patient's foot

Support from start to finish

We pride ourselves on our holistic approach to cancer care. We offer you many resources to help you throughout your cancer journey, including financial counseling, physical therapy, nutrition services, and support groups.

Patient Resources

Lung & Thoracic Cancer Care Locations

MUSC Hollings Cancer Center Downtown

86 Jonathan Lucas Street

Charleston, SC 29425

Scheduling: 843-792-9300

Hematology + Oncology Florence

805 Pamplico Highway

Suite: 315

Florence, SC 29505

You will get individual attention from specialists who will complete a thorough review of your cancer and create a personalized treatment plan.

Lung cancer statistics

According to the American Cancer Society, here are some of the most notable statistics regarding lung cancer:

  • Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in both men and women in the United States.
  • About 238,340 new cases of lung cancer (117,550 in men and 120,790 in women) are estimated to occur in the U.S. in 2023.
  • Lung cancer is by far the leading cause of cancer death in the U.S., accounting for about 1 in 5 of all cancer deaths.
  • About 127,070 deaths from lung cancer (67,160 in men and 59,910 in women) are estimated to occur in the U.S. in 2023.

Common questions about lung cancer

Have you or a loved one received a diagnosis of lung cancer? You probably have a lot of questions. There’s a lot of information to take in after a cancer diagnosis. Your doctor can answer questions specific to your care, but we have compiled a list of some of the most common questions for your reference below.

The thorax, more commonly called the chest, includes the upper half of your trunk. It extends from the bottom of your ribs up to the base of your neck. Your chest cavity contains important organs and structures such as your heart, lungs, trachea, esophagus, and the brachial plexus and vagal nerves, which are surrounded and protected by your rib cage and spine.

Thoracic cancers are masses of abnormal cells that grow in and around the organs, glands, and structures of your chest. Lung cancer is the most common type of thoracic cancer. When a thoracic tumor or abnormal growth compresses any of the important organs or structures in your chest, it can cause problems with breathing, eating, blood circulation, or nerve conduction.

Lung cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States after breast and prostate cancer, with about 240,000 people diagnosed each year in nearly equal numbers of men and women. There are two main types of lung cancer. Most (84%) are classified as non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs), and about 13% are classified as small-cell lung cancers (SCLCs).

About 64% of people with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that is localized (i.e., has not spread to nearby tissues) survive for at least five years after diagnosis. About 29% of those with localized small cell lung cancer (SCLC), one of the more aggressive types, survive for at least five years after diagnosis.

Generally, the further a lung cancer has spread when it is first found, the lower the five-year survival rate. However, it is important to remember that your individual case and the many factors that affect survival are unique to you, including your cancer subtype and genetics, your age and overall health, and how well your cancer responds to treatment. Remember that lung cancer treatments are advancing rapidly and survival rates are steadily improving.

The short answer is, yes, you can be cured, but your individual outcome depends on many factors such as how advanced your cancer is, the type of cancer, your unique genetic markers, and how your particular cancer responds to treatment.

All cancer patients enter into a surveillance program that includes routine CT scans to assess their ongoing response to treatment and identify whether you have had any recurrence of your cancer. Following your long-term care plan is one of the most important ways you can support your health and well-being moving forward.

Most people receive several different types of treatment over an extended period of time to make sure their cancer is treated as thoroughly as possible. Early in your treatment journey, minimally invasive surgery may be used to identify the subtype and stage of your cancer. More extensive surgery may be necessary to remove as much cancerous tissue as possible from your lungs and chest including any nearby areas where it may have spread (e.g., your lymph nodes).

You may also receive radiation treatments to destroy any remaining cancer cells in the local area. Systemic treatments like chemotherapy and immunotherapy help ensure there are no cancer cells in other parts of your body and may also be part of your treatment plan.

The exact combination and types of treatment you receive depends on the type and stage of your cancer, whether and where it has spread, and your overall health and personal preferences.

All cancers result from accumulated damage to your cellular DNA that leads to cell mutations and abnormal cell growth. By far, smoking causes the most cases of lung cancer and other thoracic cancers in the US each year. Fully 90% of lung cancers are linked to smoking. If you smoke, the best way to reduce your risk of lung cancer is to quit. You can seek help quitting from our Smoking Cessation Program and Tobacco Treatment Program.

Your genes, age, and hormones can also contribute to your risk. Many people do not realize that your risk for lung cancer and other thoracic cancers is closely tied to lifestyle factors such as your diet, weight, exercise habits, and smoking. 

Environmental risk factors can also contribute to the development of lung cancer and other thoracic cancers, including radon exposure, radiation exposure (e.g., from the UVA and UVB rays in sunlight or radioactive materials), inhaled carcinogenic substances (e.g., asbestos), and certain industrial chemicals. Cancers that start in other parts of your body, such as the breast or pancreas, can also spread to the lungs and chest cavity.

It is important to get screened for lung cancer if you are at risk. Research shows that lung cancer screening is very effective but under-utilized to detect cancer early in people who are at high risk. In particular, current or former heavy smokers (a pack-a-day or more) can benefit from a yearly screening test called a low-dose CT (LDCT) scan.

Screening is also recommended for other people at high risk for lung cancer who do not have any symptoms, because screening can help find lung cancers at an early stage and saves lives. If you think you are at risk for lung or thoracic cancer, talk to your doctor about having an annual screening test. As with all cancers, the earlier a lung or thoracic cancer is diagnosed and treated, the higher your chance of recovery and survival.

Imaging tests are very important for diagnosing lung cancer, determining its stage and how it is responding to treatment (i.e., whether it is shrinking, growing, or staying the same size). Traditionally, CT and positron emission tomography CT (PET/CT) scans are used. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be used in some cases to assess how much the cancer may involve the chest wall, spine, or adjacent nerves.

Thoracic surgery for lung cancer includes minimally invasive and larger procedures (called open surgeries) to determine the type and stage of your cancer and to remove and repair cancerous areas of your lungs and other chest tissues. Depending on the tumor location, size, and whether and where the cancer may have spread, your surgery may also involve removing tissue from your heart, chest wall, or esophagus.

Specially trained thoracic surgeons remove lung and thoracic cancers and often collaborate with specialized cardiac, neuro-, and vascular surgeons, particularly when the cancer has spread to your heart, blood vessels, or nerves. This team-based approach of bringing multiple specialists together ensures that all of the relevant experts are working together to provide you with the best outcome possible.

A tumor on your chest wall may cause swelling, or you may feel a lump or bump on your ribs, upper back, or chest. You may also have pain or an aching soreness in your chest. Depending on the tumor size and location, you may experience restricted movement in your torso, arm, shoulder, or neck. However, it is not uncommon for people with chest wall tumors to have no symptoms at all, particularly if the tumor is small and at an early stage.

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