Understanding Lung Cancer: Presentation, Screening, and Treatment Advances

Lung cancer remains the second most common cancer diagnosis, and top cancer killer, in the United States. Early diagnosis is key for patient survival, but only 16% of cases are currently caught in the early stages. The primary care provider is uniquely poised to intervene with high-risk patients through careful monitoring and screening of select patients. This article includes discussion of the usual clinical presentation of lung cancer, and reviews the role of routine screening. A brief update in treatment advances in lung cancer is also included.