Lung Cancers are the most common cause of cancer related death. Tobacco use is the major risk factor, and is noted in 80-90% of all patients.

Lung cancers are divided into two broad categories based on their microscopic appearance: (1) Small cell lung cancer and (2) non-small cell lung cancers. The non-small cell cancers include squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and large cell carcinoma.

Symptoms of lung cancer may include shortness of breath, cough, bloody sputum, chest pain, and neck swelling. Frequently an abnormal chest X-ray is the first indication of disease.

Small Cell Lung cancers have almost always spread by the time of diagnosis. Non-small cell tumors, by contrast, may remain localized in some individuals.

Treatment of Lung Cancer depends on the type of tumor and the extent of spread. Since Small cell lung cancer spreads early in its development, surgery plays only a minor role in treatment. However, small cell lung cancer is extremely sensitive to chemotherapy and/or radiation. Aggressive treatment (with drugs such as cisplatin and etoposide) lengthens average survivals from only a few weeks (without treatment) to more than one year. Approximately 20-40% of patients with "limited stage" may achieve longterm survival with chemotherapy.

Treatment of Non-small cell lung cancer is centered around surgical resection. If the tumor can be completely removed cures are possible. Unfortunately, for most patients complete resections are not obtainable. Radiation therapy may be of benefit in reducing symptoms among patients with large tumors. Recently chemotherapy has been noted to improve survival and quality of life among patients with advanced disease. Common agents include cisplatin, carboplatin, taxol, and navelbine.

Lung cancers are not currently treated with transplantation at Hackensack University Medical Center. However, the physicians at the Northern New Jersey Cancer Center are experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease. Active research studies on these cancers:

1. Prospective randomized trial of adjuvant chemotherapy with vinorelbine and cisplatin in resected non-small cell lung cancer with comparison tumor marker elevations.
2. Non-small cell lung cancer – Pancoast tumors: Induction chemotherapy plus radiotherapy followed by surgical resection
3. Concurrent chemotherapy plus radiotherapy versus concurrent chemotherapy plus radiotherapy plus surgical resection of stage IIIA (N2) non-small cell lung cancer
4. Taxol plus etoposide plus cisplatin plus concurrent radiotherapy for previously untreated patient with limited stage small cell lung cancer
5. Topotecan versus observation following treatment with cisplatin and etoposide in extensive stage small cell lung cancer
6. A randomized trial in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer

   For more information on these protocols call (201) 996-5900.