Lung Cancer

BJC HealthCare offers world-class care for lung cancer, at any stage. Our Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and WashU Medicine, along with its five satellite locations, is designated a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). 

Our Missouri Baptist Medical Center program is ranked among the top regional hospitals by U.S. News & World Report as high performing in lung cancer surgery and is nationally accredited by the Commission on Cancer (CoC). 

We combine a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach, research, and clinical excellence in locations designed by patients, doctors, and nurses. When you come to us for lung cancer care, you'll benefit from: 

• Nationally recognized expertise: Siteman Cancer Center is consistently ranked as one of the top 10 cancer centers in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Our network of local hospitals provides the highest quality care. One of our locations, Missouri Baptist Medical Center, is ranked by U.S. New & World Report as a “high-performing” hospital for lung cancer surgery.
• Groundbreaking treatments: Lung cancer treatment is a quickly evolving field, and our experts are at the forefront of many new discoveries. These breakthroughs mean better outcomes with fewer side effects. We are experts at precision surgeries that preserve lung tissue as well as targeted, more effective radiation therapy.
• Research and clinical trials: Our doctors participate in leading-edge clinical trials that allow you to receive promising new therapies that aren’t widely available. These can be especially important for lung cancer treatment, as breakthrough discoveries can offer hope—even for late-stage disease. Learn more about clinical trials at BJC HealthCare.
• An added layer of support: We understand that a lung cancer diagnosis and treatment can impact every aspect of your life. Our compassionate cancer support services team includes support for you and your family as you navigate treatment. We provide nutritional counseling, emotional support, palliative care, and more. 

Lung cancer is the result of cancerous cells growing and multiplying in your lungs. Most commonly, cancer develops in the cells that line the airways inside your lungs. 

There are two main types of lung cancer, each of which grows differently and requires different types of treatment. Non-small-cell lung cancer accounts for up to 85% of lung cancer diagnoses. Small cell lung cancer is rarer. It grows and spreads more quickly and is often diagnosed after it has spread beyond the lungs. 

Although smoking is the primary risk factor for lung cancer, not everyone with the disease is a current or former smoker. Advances in prevention, early detection, and treatment are improving outcomes for people with lung cancer.  

But the disease remains the leading cause of cancer deaths for both men and women, which means it is important to know your risk and take preventive measures. 

Often lung cancer does not show symptoms until it has progressed to advanced stages when it is difficult to treat and the survival rate decreases. 

In a reported study, low-radiation-dose CT lung cancer screening has been shown to reduce lung cancer deaths by 20-33% in high-risk populations. It is estimated that following government screening guidelines could save an additional 10,000 to 20,000 lives each year. 

People with a history of smoking cigarettes have a high risk of lung cancer. Tobacco use accounts for almost 90% of all lung cancers. The more cigarettes you smoke per day and the earlier you started smoking, the great your risk of lung cancer. 

A lung cancer screening is recommended if you: 

• Are between 50 and 77 years old
• Smoked a pack of cigarettes a day for 20 years, or two packs a day for 10 years
• Quit smoking within the past 15 years but meet the above criteria

If you have symptoms of lung cancer (such as a cough that won't go away) or a history of smoking, your doctor may recommend lung cancer screening. As with any type of cancer, finding lung cancer early makes treatment more effective. 

The most common type of lung cancer screening test is called low-radiation-dose CT. This imaging test allows your doctor to see images of your lungs and identify any possible tumors. We use the most advanced low-radiation testing to safely screen you for lung cancer. 

If imaging tests reveal a possible tumor in your lungs, your doctor will want to take a biopsy (tissue sample) to test. Testing the cells gathered during a biopsy allows us to determine if the tumor is benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). 

We can do a biopsy using either cells taken from mucus you cough up or by removing a sample of tissue from your lungs. Depending on the location of the suspected tumor, we retrieve tissue using a needle biopsy or surgical biopsy.