Lung Cancer Treatment in Chattanooga
Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in both men and women, with about 228,150 new U.S. cases each year—roughly 14% of all cancers. While smoking is the leading risk factor, 15%–20% of cases occur in non-smokers, making early detection vital.
Stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most advanced form, spreading beyond the lungs to areas like the lymph nodes, brain, or other organs. About 40% of patients are diagnosed at this stage, when five-year survival rates drop below 10%. Regular screenings, especially for current and former smokers, can help catch the disease earlier.
Even in Stage IV, treatments can manage symptoms, slow progression, and improve quality of life.
The Lung Docs provides specialized, state-of-the-art pulmonary care to our patients with lung cancer in Chattanooga and the surrounding Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia areas.
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Persistent cough (often worsening over time)
Coughing up blood or rust-colored sputum
Shortness of breath
Chest pain (worse with deep breathing, coughing, or laughing)
Hoarseness
Wheezing
Frequent lung infections (such as bronchitis or pneumonia)
Unexplained weight loss
Loss of appetite
Fatigue or weakness
Swelling in the face or neck (possible sign of superior vena cava obstruction)
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Diagnosing lung cancer involves a combination of medical history, physical exams, imaging tests, and laboratory analyses to confirm the presence of cancer and determine its stage. Because early symptoms can be subtle or mistaken for other conditions, detection often requires specialized scans and biopsies. An accurate diagnosis is essential for choosing the most effective treatment plan.
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Treatment for Stage IV lung cancer varies depending on where the cancer has spread and how extensive it is. Many treatments for this stage of lung cancer are considered palliative, which means they are applied only to ease symptoms and increase comfort—not as a “cure.”
Some treatment options for Stage IV lung cancer for people in generally good health include:
Chemotherapy: The use of anti-cancer drugs that are injected into a vein or taken orally.
Targeted Therapy: The use of specific drugs developed to target cancer cells in advanced stages of cancer.
Radiation Therapy: This treatment uses high-energy rays to attack and kill cancer cells.
Immunotherapy: This is when medicine is used to trigger a person’s immune system with the goal of detecting and destroying cancer cells.
Photodynamic therapy (PDT), or laser therapy, is another treatment used for this stage of lung cancer. It’s primarily used to help relieve symptoms and is considered palliative in nature.
It’s important to note that more often than not, treatments for this stage of lung cancer are performed with the goal of helping the affected person live longer and increasing their quality of life, not eradicating the cancer.
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Receiving a lung cancer diagnosis can be incredibly difficult for both the person with cancer and their loved ones. It’s important to remember to take care of your emotional needs as well as your physical needs. If you or your loved ones and/or caregivers need support, visit The American Cancer Society’s website for a list of resources including a cancer helpline, how to better understand and accept your diagnosis, and more.
Find a Location Near You
The Lung Docs provides specialized, state-of-the-art pulmonary care to our patients with lung cancer in Chattanooga and the surrounding Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia areas.
PULMONOLOGIST
Dr. Mike Czarnecki
I’m Dr. Mike Czarnecki, “The Lung Doc,” and I’m trained in all areas of pulmonary health, including lung cancer. Whether you suspect you have lung cancer or require treatment, I can help. To book an appointment with me, call 423‑710‑3864 or request an appointment online.