Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers, with the American Cancer
Society estimating over 200,000 new cases of lung cancer being diagnosed
in 2022. There are two main types of lung cancer, with non-small cell
lung cancer (NSCLC) making up over 80% of cases and small cell lung cancer
(SCLC) making up over 10%. Within these two types, cancer cells are further
divided based on their form and location.
At Shannon, we provide comprehensive lung cancer diagnosis, treatment,
and support for patients throughout San Angelo and the surrounding areas.
Our experienced oncology team is made up of specialist physicians, surgeons,
technologists, nurses, and support staff to provide a multidisciplinary
approach to care.
Types of lung cancer we treat include:
Squamous cell carcinoma
Adenocarcinoma
Large cell carcinoma
Adenosquamous carcinoma
Sarcomatoid carcinoma
Small cell carcinoma, also known as oat cell cancer
Combined small cell carcinoma
Risk Factors of Lung Cancer
One of the major risk factors in developing either non-small cell or small
cell lung cancer is smoking. Whether you currently smoke cigarettes, pipes,
or cigars, or you have a history of smoking, you can increase your chance
of getting the disease—with the more years a person smokes, the
greater the potential risk.
Additional risk factors include:
Exposure to secondhand smoke
Exposure to asbestos, arsenic, and other workplace hazards
Exposure to air pollution
A family history of lung cancer
Radiation exposure
Diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
Lung Cancer Diagnosis & Treatment
At Shannon, we incorporate an array of tests and equipment to properly
diagnose the type and stage of lung cancer. To view changes in lung tissue
or spot anomalies, our team might implement chest x-rays, CT scans, or
MRIs. Your physician might also recommend laboratory tests, such as blood,
urine, or mucus sample testing—where our trained pathologist will
analyze the sample under a microscope to look for the presence of cancer cells.
If lung cancer is detected, we perform an additional round of tests to
determine the type and stage of the disease—paying particular attention
to whether cancerous cells have spread to surrounding tissues and organs.
A lung cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming, which is why our team takes
the time to walk you through all of your options, answer your questions,
and design a custom treatment plan that might incorporate multiple treatment methods.
Early detection of lung cancer, where cancerous cells are only found in
one lung and nearby lymph nodes, might allow us to perform surgical intervention
such as a wedge resection, lobectomy, or sleeve resection. However, as
cancerous cells are often found on both lungs, we typically recommend
using a combination of treatments, such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy,
to stop the growth of unhealthy cells. We also implement image-guided
radiation therapy (IGRT) and stereotactic radiotherapy to precisely target
the tumor in an attempt to save as much healthy tissue as possible. Our
world-class facility continues to invest in the latest equipment, treatment
methods, and surgical tools to provide trusted lung cancer care to our
community.
Our team at Shannon Oncology Center is standing by to provide comprehensive
care. Call us at
325.747.2025.
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