Rockland Thoracic & Vascular Associates

Thoracic Surgery & Vascular Surgery located in Pomona, NY & Goshen, NY

Lung cancer is the most common cancer-related cause of death in the United States. More than 200,000 new cases are diagnosed every year. The experienced team at Rockland Thoracic & Vascular Associates uses state-of-the-art diagnostics, including electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy to identify lung cancer at the earliest stage possible. They also do minimally invasive video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for lung cancer. The practice has offices in Washington Heights, Manhattan, in New York City; Pomona, Goshen, and Fishkill, New York; and Englewood, New Jersey. Call your nearest office today or book an appointment online.

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Lung Cancer Q & A

What is lung cancer?

Lung cancer is a disease that develops when there’s an overgrowth of cells in your lung.
Lung cancer tends to start in one lung. If left untreated, lung cancer can spread to other areas and your lymph nodes. Over time, it can spread to other organs in your body.
Your chances of survival if you have lung cancer depend on how advanced the disease is when it’s discovered.

What types of lung cancer are there?

There are two categories of lung cancer. The most common category is non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which accounts for nearly 90% of cases. The three types of non-small cell lung cancer are:

  • Squamous cell carcinoma
  • Adenocarcinoma
  • Large cell carcinoma

The less common category of lung cancer is small cell lung cancer. It usually grows more rapidly than NSCLC and is more likely to spread to other parts of your body.

What causes lung cancer?

The most significant risk factor for lung cancer is smoking, although nonsmokers can develop small cell lung cancer. Your risk of getting lung cancer increases if you suffer exposure to substances like:

  • Asbestos
  • Radon gas
  • Uranium
  • Arsenic
  • Diesel exhaust

You’re also more likely to get lung cancer if other members of your family have had the disease.

What are the symptoms of lung cancer?

Symptoms of lung cancer include:

  • Persistent cough
  • Coughing up blood
  • Shortness of breath
  • Hoarse voice
  • Recurring pneumonia
  • Unusual fatigue
  • Weight loss

If you have lung cancer symptoms the team at Rockland Thoracic & Vascular Associates can diagnose the condition using state-of-the-art tests like CT scans, MRI scans, PET scans, fused PET and CT images, and electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy.

How is lung cancer treated?

The treatment you receive for lung cancer depends on how advanced your cancer is. Nonsurgical treatments include chemotherapy and radiation therapy, which can be combined with surgery or used on their own.

The Rockland Thoracic & Vascular Associates team has considerable expertise in doing lung cancer surgery. Surgery to remove the diseased part of a lung is called a lung resection, and it offers the best chance of curing lung cancer if it’s done at an early stage.

The team uses minimally invasive video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) where possible to do a lobectomy. Larger tumors might require thoracotomy (large-incision open surgery) or pneumonectomy (removal of a complete lung), but your surgeon will discuss this with you at your consultation.

To schedule an appointment, call Rockland Thoracic & Vascular Associates today or use the online booking form.