Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefinitionTypesCausesDiagnosisTreatmentFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Definition
Types
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
Lungneoplasmsare tumors that form either from lung tissue, also known as a primary neoplasm, or from the distant spread of cancer from another part of the body, also known as metastatic neoplasms of the lung.
This article will look at the different types of lung neoplasms, as well as causes and treatment options.
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Definition of Lung Neoplasm
It’s easy to think “cancer” when you hear the terms “lung neoplasm” or “tumor,” but many times that is not the case. Although the words “lung neoplasm” may sound ominous, these growths aren’t always a cause for concern.
Abenign lung neoplasmis a harmless nodule or mass that occurs anywhere in the lungs, and can usually be followed for growth over a period of months or years. These tumors require only observation with a routine chestX-rayorcomputed tomography (CT)scan to see if they change in shape or size.
Types of Lung Neoplasms
Malignant lung neoplasms are cancerous and include three main types:
Other lung tumors that may affect the lungs include lymphomas, adenoid cystic carcinomas, and sarcomas. These types of cancer are treated differently than the more common lung cancers.
Mediastinaltumors (growths that form in the chest area between the lungs) and other chest wall tumors, such as sarcomas, are rare tumors that do not develop in the lungs but may spread there due to their closeness to the organ.
The following cancers start elsewhere and commonly spread to the lungs:
Cancers that spread from one site to the lungs are not considered lung cancer, therefore treatment should be targeted toward the area of the body where the cancer originally developed.
RecapLung neoplasm can be benign or cancerous. There are three main types of benign tumors: hamartomas, bronchial adenomas, and papilloma. These tumors can often be left untreated, only needing to be monitored for growth regularly.Cancerous lung neoplasms, on the other hand, require immediate medical attention and treatment, as many are fast growing and aggressive. Types of malignant lung neoplasms include small cell carcinoma, non-small cell carcinoma, and mesothelioma.
Recap
Lung neoplasm can be benign or cancerous. There are three main types of benign tumors: hamartomas, bronchial adenomas, and papilloma. These tumors can often be left untreated, only needing to be monitored for growth regularly.Cancerous lung neoplasms, on the other hand, require immediate medical attention and treatment, as many are fast growing and aggressive. Types of malignant lung neoplasms include small cell carcinoma, non-small cell carcinoma, and mesothelioma.
Lung neoplasm can be benign or cancerous. There are three main types of benign tumors: hamartomas, bronchial adenomas, and papilloma. These tumors can often be left untreated, only needing to be monitored for growth regularly.
Cancerous lung neoplasms, on the other hand, require immediate medical attention and treatment, as many are fast growing and aggressive. Types of malignant lung neoplasms include small cell carcinoma, non-small cell carcinoma, and mesothelioma.
Causes of Lung Neoplasms
Smoking in any form, including traditional cigarettes, hookah, snuff, cigars, and pipe tobacco, is the single biggest risk factor for lung neoplasms. The 60 or so carcinogens, or cancer-causing chemicals, in tobacco smoke account for more than 80%–90% of lung cancer cases.
Research shows that smokers are 15–30 times more likely to get lung cancer or die from lung cancer than nonsmokers.Your risk of developing lung cancer increases proportionally with the number of cigarettes you smoke in your lifetime.
Smoking isn’t the only cause of lung neoplasms. Benign lung neoplasms can develop from an abscess, inflamed tissue, or cysts or as a result of scarring from an infection or pneumonia. Other causes of lung neoplasms are:
Sometimes, genetics may predispose you to lung cancer. This is more likely the case in individuals with an immediate nonsmoking family member who has or had lung cancer.
Quitting smoking, moving out of a high pollution area or job, and living a generally healthy life that includes eating right and exercising are ways to decrease your lung cancer risk, even if you are at higher risk based on your genetic profile.
RecapSmoking is the biggest risk factor for developing a lung neoplasm. Other risk factors include lung infections, exposure to radiation, exposure to industrial chemicals, exposure to air pollution, secondhand smoke, and a genetic predisposition.
Smoking is the biggest risk factor for developing a lung neoplasm. Other risk factors include lung infections, exposure to radiation, exposure to industrial chemicals, exposure to air pollution, secondhand smoke, and a genetic predisposition.
How a Lung Neoplasm Is Diagnosed
Your healthcare provider will perform a focused physical exam, listening to the heart and lungs for sounds like wheezing and crackling that may be concerning for associated lung-related diseases, like COPD and emphysema, which increase one’s chances of malignancy.
Imaging is usually ordered next. The following tests are initially performed to help provide more details on the lung neoplasm:
Former Smokers Need Regular ScreeningIf you were a regular smoker who has quit, a heightened risk of developing cancer remains for 15 years after quitting. In this group, periodic lung cancer screening with low-dose CT is encouraged during this period. This aids in catching any potential cancerous lung neoplasms that may develop at the earliest stage possible and improves outlook.
Former Smokers Need Regular Screening
If you were a regular smoker who has quit, a heightened risk of developing cancer remains for 15 years after quitting. In this group, periodic lung cancer screening with low-dose CT is encouraged during this period. This aids in catching any potential cancerous lung neoplasms that may develop at the earliest stage possible and improves outlook.
If imaging shows nodules, or if you have risk factors such as a prior history of smoking or a nonsmoking first relative with lung cancer, a pulmonologist (a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of lung-related illness) may also suggest abronchoscopy. In this procedure, a doctor places a scope with a built-in camera into a sedated patient’s mouth, down the airway, and into the lungs to examine the lung nodule.
During this procedure, your doctor will usually conduct a biopsy. This procedure involves extracting a piece of tissue from the lung, which is then sent to a lab to be tested and examined under a microscope.
Biopsy results will confirm whether the lung neoplasm is benign or malignant (cancerous), and additional tests may be done on the tissue sample to determine the type of lung cancer and the best course of treatment.
RecapMany lung neoplasms are found incidentally during imaging tests for another condition. If a lung neoplasm is suspected, your healthcare provider will take a detailed medical history, do a physical exam, and order imaging tests, such as a chest X-ray or CT scan. Testing of phlegm, or mucus, that has been coughed up or a biopsy may also be done.
Many lung neoplasms are found incidentally during imaging tests for another condition. If a lung neoplasm is suspected, your healthcare provider will take a detailed medical history, do a physical exam, and order imaging tests, such as a chest X-ray or CT scan. Testing of phlegm, or mucus, that has been coughed up or a biopsy may also be done.
Treatment for a Lung Neoplasm
Whether your lung neoplasm is benign or malignant plays an important role in your treatment. In people with no symptoms, an abnormal nodule or mass on the lung is sometimes found incidentally on a chest X-ray or CT scan while looking for something else.
In many cases, your healthcare provider will advise monitoring a benign neoplasm without immediate treatment, what is known colloquially as a “watch and wait” method. This method of monitoring potentially benign nodules is reserved for those who have little or no risk factors for lung cancer and are otherwise generally healthy.
If imaging or a biopsy confirm the lung neoplasm to be cancerous, then the type of treatment you receive will depend on several factors:
The types of treatments for lung cancer largely depend on whether you have NSCLC or SCLC and how far the cancer has spread. Your options will usually include one or more of the following:
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapyis a systemic treatment used to kill rapidly dividing cells. It can be administered orally or intravenously (through IV) and used prior to surgery (neoadjuvant chemotherapy) or afterward (adjuvant chemotherapy).
The goal of chemotherapy is to:
Radiation
By using a controlled dose of radiation (high-energy beams), cancer cells can be killed or damaged, eliminating any remaining cancer cells after surgery and chemotherapy. Some cancers like NSCLCs are less sensitive to radiation so accurate diagnosis is critical to choosing the best and most effective treatments for you.
Surgery
In patients with cancer that is localized to the middle lobe or entire lung but has yet to metastasize, apneumonectomy(the removal of an entire lung) or awedge resection(the removal of a small piece of the lung) may be performed. Chemoradiation (having chemo and radiation at the same time) after surgery is often used on these patients no matter whether they have SCLC or NSCLC.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapyis a group of medicines that jump-starts your immune system to target and kill cancer cells. It is more commonly used to treat small cell lung cancer.
Currently, two immunotherapy treatments are used for lung cancer areKeytruda (pembrolizumab) andTecentriq (atezolizumab). They can be used alone as a primary form of treatment or combined with chemotherapy.
Palliative Care
If you receive a diagnosis of lung cancer, you can feel a wave of emotions. Because of the high rate of malignancy and rapid progression of some lung cancers, it is natural to feel like you do not have time to adjust to the mental, emotional, and physical changes that are taking place.
Assembling a team, joining a support group, discussing how you feel with family and friends, and learning how to manage your symptoms of shortness of breath and treatment side effects may be helpful coping strategies. Using alternative remedies such as acupuncture, yoga, hypnosis, therapy, and meditation may also have some benefits in navigating the complex emotions that come with this life-altering diagnosis.
Still, despite a healthcare team’s best efforts, sometimes treatments don’t work. Knowing exactly when to start discussing palliative care (relieving symptoms) can be difficult. Research has shown that starting palliative care for those with advanced lung cancer improves the quality of life and decreases the psychological burden.
Summary
Lung neoplasms are abnormal growths of tissue that form in the lungs. Many are benign (noncancerous) but some may be malignant (cancerous). If a lung neoplasm is suspected to be cancerous, your healthcare provider may recommend imaging tests, a biopsy, and other tests. Lung cancer is usually treated with surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy, or some combination of those options.
A Word From Verywell
Hearing the word “cancer” can be stressful. Don’t panic—but do talk to your doctor about your concerns and what your next step should be. A diagnosis of lung cancer can bring up a wide range of feelings that you’re not used to dealing with and it is natural to feel overwhelmed.
Balancing the need to discuss your feelings, gather information, and initiate treatment as early as possible can be understandably frustrating. In addition, you may be asked to quit smoking, change your eating habits, and limit alcohol—all of which are difficult things to do.
The key is to take things one day at a time. In many cases early treatment is curative, so it is encouraged that you ask questions, learn about your diagnosis, and do not delay medical intervention for any reason.
Frequently Asked QuestionsThe terms “lung nodule” and “neoplasm” are often used interchangeably as they both refer to a small abnormal area, or mass, that may be benign or malignant and is sometimes found during imaging of the chest.Although the exact percentage of benign lung neoplasms varies based on which study you look to, the vast majority of lung neoplasms are benign.Malignant neoplasms are an abnormal number of damaged cells that preferentially grow in the bronchus, alveoli, or other parts of the lung. The uncontrollable growth and invasion of these cells into other tissues is called cancer.
The terms “lung nodule” and “neoplasm” are often used interchangeably as they both refer to a small abnormal area, or mass, that may be benign or malignant and is sometimes found during imaging of the chest.
Although the exact percentage of benign lung neoplasms varies based on which study you look to, the vast majority of lung neoplasms are benign.
Malignant neoplasms are an abnormal number of damaged cells that preferentially grow in the bronchus, alveoli, or other parts of the lung. The uncontrollable growth and invasion of these cells into other tissues is called cancer.
14 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cleveland Clinic.Benign lung tumors. Updated July 15, 2020.Mashaal H, Sexton R, Anjum F.Bronchial carcinoid tumors. In:StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; July 28, 2021.American Cancer Society.What is lung cancer?Updated October 1, 2019.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Lung cancer types.Hammouz RY, Kostanek JK, Dudzisz A, Witas P, Orzechowska M, Bednarek AK.Differential expression of lung adenocarcinoma transcriptome with signature of tobacco exposure.J Appl Genet. 2020;61(3):421-437. doi:10.1007/s13353-020-00569-1CDC.What are the risk factors for lung cancer?Updated October 18, 2021.Yale Medicine.Lung cancer in nonsmokers.Kanwal M, Ding XJ, Cao Y.Familial risk for lung cancer.Oncol Lett. 2017;13(2):535-542. doi:10.3892/ol.2016.5518American Cancer Society.Tests for lung cancer. Updated June 1, 2021.National Cancer Institute.Non-small cell lung cancer treatment (PDQ)—health professional version. Updated July 12, 2021.National Cancer Institute.Non-small cell lung cancer treatment (PDQ)—health professional version. Updated July 12, 2021.National Cancer Institute.Small cell lung cancer treatment (PDQ)—health professional version. Updated May 4, 2021.American Cancer Society.Immunotherapy for small cell lung cancer.Updated May 3, 2021.Janssens A, Derijcke S, Galdermans D, et al. Coping strategy influences quality of life in patients with advanced lung cancer. In: Lung Cancer. European Respiratory Society; 2019:PA4649.
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cleveland Clinic.Benign lung tumors. Updated July 15, 2020.Mashaal H, Sexton R, Anjum F.Bronchial carcinoid tumors. In:StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; July 28, 2021.American Cancer Society.What is lung cancer?Updated October 1, 2019.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Lung cancer types.Hammouz RY, Kostanek JK, Dudzisz A, Witas P, Orzechowska M, Bednarek AK.Differential expression of lung adenocarcinoma transcriptome with signature of tobacco exposure.J Appl Genet. 2020;61(3):421-437. doi:10.1007/s13353-020-00569-1CDC.What are the risk factors for lung cancer?Updated October 18, 2021.Yale Medicine.Lung cancer in nonsmokers.Kanwal M, Ding XJ, Cao Y.Familial risk for lung cancer.Oncol Lett. 2017;13(2):535-542. doi:10.3892/ol.2016.5518American Cancer Society.Tests for lung cancer. Updated June 1, 2021.National Cancer Institute.Non-small cell lung cancer treatment (PDQ)—health professional version. Updated July 12, 2021.National Cancer Institute.Non-small cell lung cancer treatment (PDQ)—health professional version. Updated July 12, 2021.National Cancer Institute.Small cell lung cancer treatment (PDQ)—health professional version. Updated May 4, 2021.American Cancer Society.Immunotherapy for small cell lung cancer.Updated May 3, 2021.Janssens A, Derijcke S, Galdermans D, et al. Coping strategy influences quality of life in patients with advanced lung cancer. In: Lung Cancer. European Respiratory Society; 2019:PA4649.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Cleveland Clinic.Benign lung tumors. Updated July 15, 2020.Mashaal H, Sexton R, Anjum F.Bronchial carcinoid tumors. In:StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; July 28, 2021.American Cancer Society.What is lung cancer?Updated October 1, 2019.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Lung cancer types.Hammouz RY, Kostanek JK, Dudzisz A, Witas P, Orzechowska M, Bednarek AK.Differential expression of lung adenocarcinoma transcriptome with signature of tobacco exposure.J Appl Genet. 2020;61(3):421-437. doi:10.1007/s13353-020-00569-1CDC.What are the risk factors for lung cancer?Updated October 18, 2021.Yale Medicine.Lung cancer in nonsmokers.Kanwal M, Ding XJ, Cao Y.Familial risk for lung cancer.Oncol Lett. 2017;13(2):535-542. doi:10.3892/ol.2016.5518American Cancer Society.Tests for lung cancer. Updated June 1, 2021.National Cancer Institute.Non-small cell lung cancer treatment (PDQ)—health professional version. Updated July 12, 2021.National Cancer Institute.Non-small cell lung cancer treatment (PDQ)—health professional version. Updated July 12, 2021.National Cancer Institute.Small cell lung cancer treatment (PDQ)—health professional version. Updated May 4, 2021.American Cancer Society.Immunotherapy for small cell lung cancer.Updated May 3, 2021.Janssens A, Derijcke S, Galdermans D, et al. Coping strategy influences quality of life in patients with advanced lung cancer. In: Lung Cancer. European Respiratory Society; 2019:PA4649.
Cleveland Clinic.Benign lung tumors. Updated July 15, 2020.
Mashaal H, Sexton R, Anjum F.Bronchial carcinoid tumors. In:StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; July 28, 2021.
American Cancer Society.What is lung cancer?Updated October 1, 2019.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Lung cancer types.
Hammouz RY, Kostanek JK, Dudzisz A, Witas P, Orzechowska M, Bednarek AK.Differential expression of lung adenocarcinoma transcriptome with signature of tobacco exposure.J Appl Genet. 2020;61(3):421-437. doi:10.1007/s13353-020-00569-1
CDC.What are the risk factors for lung cancer?Updated October 18, 2021.
Yale Medicine.Lung cancer in nonsmokers.
Kanwal M, Ding XJ, Cao Y.Familial risk for lung cancer.Oncol Lett. 2017;13(2):535-542. doi:10.3892/ol.2016.5518
American Cancer Society.Tests for lung cancer. Updated June 1, 2021.
National Cancer Institute.Non-small cell lung cancer treatment (PDQ)—health professional version. Updated July 12, 2021.
National Cancer Institute.Small cell lung cancer treatment (PDQ)—health professional version. Updated May 4, 2021.
American Cancer Society.Immunotherapy for small cell lung cancer.Updated May 3, 2021.
Janssens A, Derijcke S, Galdermans D, et al. Coping strategy influences quality of life in patients with advanced lung cancer. In: Lung Cancer. European Respiratory Society; 2019:PA4649.
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