Lung Cancer

Benefits of our multidisciplinary team approach include:

• Access to doctors who rank among the top lung cancer experts in the world.
• Access to Emory University Hospital and Emory Saint Joseph's Hospital, both of which earned a high performing rating in lung cancer surgery by U.S. News & World Report.
• Weekly review of patient cases by the full team of experts.
• Coordinated scheduling for appointments among various specialties.
• Lung cancer treatment and research specifically for the elderly.
• Access to a nurse navigator to assist you throughout the treatment process.
• Access to support programs and groups for you and your caregivers.
• Availability of new cutting-edge treatment options within our clinical trials program.

Request an Appointment

If you have been diagnosed with lung cancer, we are ready to help you. Call us at 1 (888) 946-7447 or (404) 778-1900 to make an appointment with a lung cancer specialist. Winship experts are available to provide a second opinion.

We understand that this is a very stressful time. We welcome your questions and requests for help. Here is more information to help familiarize you with Winship and give you an idea of what to expect on your first visit.

Non-small cell lung cancer or NSCLC is the most common type of lung cancer and accounts for 85% of lung cancer cases. There are three main subtypes of NSCLC, which are categorized based on their similar treatment options and outcomes.

Small cell lung cancer or SCLC, accounting for 10 to 15% of cases, is treated differently and has a different prognosis. This type generally grows more quickly and is more likely to spread to other parts of the body.

Screening for Lung Cancer

There are many different tests and scans used to determine the presence, type and stage of lung cancer. Your doctor should determine which method or methods would be best for you.

Emory Healthcare offers lung computed tomography, or CT, screening at all Winship locations. Additionally, Emory University Hospital and Emory University Hospital Midtown have been designated Lung Cancer Screening Centers by the American College of Radiology.

The Emory Healthcare Lung CT Screening Program provides low-radiation-dose CT screening for patients with a significant history of tobacco use. For more information on lung CT screening, call (404) 686-5864 (LUNG).

Your treatment options may vary, but in most cases one or a combination of the following methods will be used:

Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill or slow the growth of cancer cells. Physicians give these drugs based on the stage of the tumor. Chemotherapy may be used in combination with radiation and surgery to treat lung cancer.

Radiation therapy: Radiation is the use of high-energy x-rays or other types of radiation to kill cancer cells. Physicians may use radiation by itself to treat lung cancer or to shrink tumors before surgery. Radiation therapy is given based on the stage of the tumor.

Proton therapy: Proton therapy is the next generation of radiation oncology. It uses protons to precisely treat cancerous tumors throughout the body while minimizing the potential toxicity to surrounding normal tissues. The Emory Proton Therapy Center is the only center of its kind in Georgia to offer patients access to this advanced radiation therapy. Learn about proton therapy for lung cancer.

Surgery: Physicians may remove parts of the lung(s) and nearby affected tissues. Minimally invasive thoracic surgery, which allows for a quicker recovery, is an option for some patients.

Targeted Therapy: For certain patients with lung cancer, we use targeted treatments that are highly specific to the patient's cancer. The targeted treatments are often available in pill form, so patients can take them on their own at home.

Immunotherapy: This type of treatment uses medications to help your body's immune system recognize cancer cells and enhance its ability to tackle them. Immunotherapy is a promising area of medicine for some patients with lung cancer.

Clinical Trials

Every year, more cancer clinical trials at Winship are taking advantage of new findings on the effectiveness of immunotherapy, especially for cancers that have spread. We currently have several clinical trials with immune-modulating agents available for the treatment of patients with NSCLC and SCLC.

Consider talking with your doctor about participating in a clinical trial at Winship. Through these trials, you may have access to treatments for various types of lung cancer that are not widely available.

Supportive Oncology Care

In addition to delivering the highest quality medical care, we recognize the importance of the psychological and emotional aspects of living with a cancer diagnosis and of dealing with treatment. Our supportive oncology team addresses these issues in a timely manner with additional support from counselors, nurse navigators, dietitians and social service professionals.