Lung Cancer

Lung Cancer Treatment at Garnet Health

If you recently received a lung cancer diagnosis, you’re understandably processing this life-changing news. Now more than ever, you can count on the experienced doctors and compassionate staff at Garnet Health. We're here to fight this battle right along with you – close to home. Our multidisciplinary team provides early detection and diagnostic services, thoracic surgery and other advanced treatments for lung cancer.

At Garnet Health, we know you expect — and deserve — the best possible care, and we are committed to meeting and exceeding your expectations. Along with our comprehensive services, we offer a friendly smile, a caring touch, a listening ear and a kind word — comforting gestures that we believe can make a big difference in your experience as a lung cancer patient.

What Is Lung Cancer?

Lung cancer arises from the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in one or both of your lungs. Abnormal lung cells do not function like normal lung cells, nor do they develop into healthy lung tissues. Instead, they continue to grow, form tumors and interfere with the vital functions of your lungs, which include delivering essential oxygen to organs and tissues throughout your body via your bloodstream.

The two main types of lung cancer are non-small lung cancer (NSCLS), which is the most common, and small cell lung cancer (SCLC).

Lung Cancer Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Symptoms

Lung cancer symptoms can take years to develop. When they do become noticeable, they can be easily overlooked or attributed to a less serious condition, such as bronchitis. Some common signs to watch for include:

• Persistent coughing
• Coughing up blood-tinged phlegm 
• Changes in the color or volume of your sputum
• Pain in your chest, shoulders or back 
• Shortness of breath
• Hoarseness and other vocal changes
• Harsh sounds with each breath (stridor)
• Recurrent lung infections, such as bronchitis or pneumonia

If you have unusual or worrisome symptoms, take action to safeguard your health. We encourage you to consult with a lung cancer specialist at Garnet Health, where the latest diagnostic and treatment services are conveniently accessible to you in Orange or Sullivan counties. 

Causes

Smoking tobacco is by far the leading cause of lung cancer. Approximately 90% of all lung cancer cases are related to smoking, and many other cases are attributed to secondhand smoke. Smokers exposed to other risk factors, such as radon gas and asbestos fibers, are at an even higher risk.
A relatively small number of lung cancer cases affect people who have no known risk factors. Experts believe that some of these cases may be random events with no outside cause, while others could be related to factors still unknown.

Garnet Health offers a Risk Assessment Program for lung cancer. After discussing your health history and evaluating you for early signs of lung cancer, we create a customized risk reduction plan based on your unique characteristics and circumstances.

Treatment

Surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy may be used alone or in combination to treat lung cancer. Early-stage NSCLC is often treated with surgery to remove the tumor, which may involve the removal of a lobe (section) of the lung. In some cases, this can be accomplished with minimally invasive, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). After surgery, chemotherapy may be used to help prevent lung cancer recurrence.

For SCLC, chemotherapy is usually a key component of treatment. Depending on the stage of the cancer, radiation therapy may be used as well. 

We’re Here for You in the Hudson Valley

With Garnet Health, you’re never alone. Having our multidisciplinary team on your side means that all of your doctors actively participate and collaborate to provide you with advanced treatment protocols involving multiple therapies. We also have a dedicated Lung Cancer Nurse Navigator who will expertly assist you throughout your lung cancer journey. In addition to providing you with educational resources, coordinated care and compassionate support, your Navigator will partner with your Oncology Team to help ensure that you receive the best possible care.

Garnet Health provides comprehensive diagnostic, treatment and supportive care services for lung cancer in Orange and Sullivan Counties, including Middletown, Harris and Callicoon, NY.