Lung cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in one or both lungs. The two major types of lung cancer are:
There are also less common types of lung cancer. One example is mesothelioma, which affects the lining of several organs in the body, but most commonly the lungs. Another less common cancer is a carcinoid tumor, which grows slowly and is generally cured by surgery.
That’s why patients come from all over the United States to be seen by lung specialists at the UCSD Medical Center. Our lung-cancer team includes doctors who pioneered innovative treatment for early and advanced stage lung cancer, as well as a medical oncologist (cancer doctor) whose only area of specialty is lung cancer. Team members include pulmonologists in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine (ranked 8th in the nation by U.S. News and World Report), plus surgeons, radiation oncologists, pathologists, nurse managers and others who bring their unique perspective to tailor a treatment plan specific to your individual needs.