There are many different cancers that can start in the lungs. The two main types of lung cancer are small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. Non-small cell lung cancer is far more common. These categories describe how the cells look under the microscope. If lung cancer is diagnosed, tests called staging are performed. The most common treatments for lung cancer is surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and targeted therapy.

When it comes to lung cancer types there are two main ones. The more common type is non-small cell lung cancer, which is diagnosed 85% of the time. The three main types of non-small cell lung cancer:

• Adenocarcinoma, which is diagnosed 40% of the time. It grows slower than any other lung cancers.
• Squamous cell lung cancer, which is diagnosed 30% of the time. It grows in the center of the lung.
• Large cell lung cancer, which is diagnosed 10% of the time. It looks like small cell lung cancer but bigger.

When a person is healthy, but has a high risk of getting lung cancer due to smoking or family history lung cancer screening is requested. Using a low-dose computerized tomography scan of the lungs, doctors will search for any signs of early lung cancer. People who should consider this are older current or former smokers, heavy smokers, heavy smokers who have quit, healthiest people, and people with a history of lung cancer. The reason for screening is to catch cancer at its earliest stage and cure it with the following methods:

1. Lung cancer surgery
Lung cancer surgery can be to remove a section of lung or an entire lung. It depends on the stage and type of lung cancer. When removing a small cancer spot it’s called a wedge resection. A larger area is called a Segmental resection. Removing one of the lobes is called a Lobectomy and a whole lung is called a Pneumonectomy.

2. Lung cancer staging
Once lung cancer is diagnosed, other tests are then done to find out where the cancer started and if it spread elsewhere. This is called staging and is required to determine treatments. When lung cancer is suspected a physical exam is done and medical history is looked at. Then laboratory tests such as tissue, urine and blood samples are taken and a chest x-ray is requested. A CT scan is used to get a more detailed view of the body. A sputum cytology test looks at mucus in the lungs and a Thoracentesis removes fluid from between the chest lining and lung.

3. Alternative medicine
Complementary medicine is used with traditional and alternative is used instead of. There are many but some examples are acupuncture, herbs, Tai Chi, and yoga. Ask your doctor before starting any of these other methods.