Affecting more than 200,000 people in America each year, the most common cause of lung cancer is smoking. It should be remembered, however, that non-smokers can also develop lung cancer.

The function of the lungs
Absorbing oxygen from the air through the process of inhalation, the lungs bring oxygen into the bloodstream, which carries oxygen to the rest of the body. The cells of the body release carbon dioxide as they use oxygen. This is carried back to the lungs by the veins. The carbon dioxide leaves the lungs when the lungs exhale. Most of the cells in the lungs are called epithelial cells. These line the airways and produce mucus, which lubricates and protects the lungs.

What is lung cancer?
Normally cells divide in a regulated manner. When cells keep dividing uncontrollably a mass of tissue forms called a tumor. When this happens in the lungs it is called lung cancer. There are two types of lung cancer-"non-small cell cancer" and "small cell cancer." Non-small cell cancers arise from epithelial cells and large cells, and are the most common forms of lung cancer. Small cell lung cancers begin in the nerve cells or hormone-producing cells of the lungs.

Diagnosis
Mount Sinai's Lung Cancer Program offers patients comprehensive, coordinated, multidisciplinary lung cancer services employing state-of-the-art diagnosis and treatment.

Tests available at Mount Sinai include:

• State-of-the-art imaging for non-invasive diagnostics, staging, and pre-surgical evaluations including, CT, PET, CT-PET, bone scan, and MRI
• Diagnostic and biopsy procedures, such as core needle biopsy, thoracentesis, pleural biopsy, and bronchoscopy