What is lung cancer?

Lung cancer starts when abnormal cells grow and multiply in an uncontrolled way. Cancer that begins in the lungs is called primary lung cancer. If cancer begins in another part of the body and spreads to the lungs it is know as secondary or metastatic cancer in the lung.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death and the fifth most common cancer diagnosed in Australia excluding non-melanoma cancers. It is responsible for almost one in five cancer deaths in Australia. 

It is estimated that more than 14,700 people were diagnosed with lung cancer in 2023. The average age at diagnosis is 72 years old. 

Lung cancer is the fifth most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia, and it is estimated that one in 20 people will be diagnosed by the time they are 85.

There are two main types of lung cancer: 

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) 

Non-small cell lung cancer is the most common type of lung cancer, accounting for around 85% of cases. There are sub-types of non-small cell lung cancer. The most common are: 

adenocarcinoma - begins in mucus-producing cells and makes up about 40% of lung cancers. While this type of lung cancer is most commonly diagnosed in current or former smokers, it is also the most common lung cancer in non-smokers. 
squamous cell (epidermoid) carcinoma - commonly develops in the larger airways of the lung. 
large cell undifferentiated carcinoma - can appear in any part of the lung and are not clearly squamous cell or adenocarcinoma. 
Lung cancer signs and symptoms
Symptoms of lung cancer may include: 

·         shortness of breath

·         changes to the voice such as hoarseness

·         chest pain

·         coughing or spitting up blood

·         a new cough that does not go away

·         chest infection that lasts more than three weeks or keeps coming back

·         enlarged fingertips

·         loss of appetite

·         unexplained weight loss

·         tiredness.