About Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among men and women in the United States with more than 160,340 deaths a year, translating to 439 deaths a day, according to estimates of American Cancer Society.² More than 50 percent of lung cancer is diagnosed in advanced stages and incurable, with five-year survival rate of less than 1 percent. However, early detection of lung cancer leads to longer survival and higher cure rate, with 92 percent five-year survival for Stage 1 disease.¹

Recent Advances in Research

Recently, the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) showed that low-dose CT scan (LDCT) screening modality decreases lung cancer mortality by 20 percent.³ This study demonstrated high sensitivity compared to conventional chest x-ray but has high false positive rates. This is the first time that a screening test showed decrease in mortality related to lung cancer.

Our Lung Cancer Site Team

The University of Kansas Cancer Center has implemented a comprehensive lung cancer screening program. It includes smoking cessation counseling, multidisciplinary team with radiologist, pulmonologist, radiation oncologist, surgeon and medical oncology to manage and treat newly detected lung cancer and a nurse navigator to help coordinate the care of patients screened.

The lung cancer group is also developing a study to help increase the accuracy of LDCT. The study will incorporate the addition of a blood test currently available and also further genetic analysis to enhance the diagnostic precision of LDCT.

Visit KU Cancer Center for more information.

Our team also trains future oncologists who are currently training as fellows at the University of Kansas. Learn about fellowship opportunities in the Department of Internal Medicine-Division of Medical Oncology.

Clinical Trials

Our physician investigators design innovative clinical trials to develop treatments and expand understanding of cancers. There are many clinical trials underway at the University of Kansas Cancer Center. Contact the clinical trial nurse navigator to learn more or explore trials online:

Contact our Clinical Trial Nurse Navigator:
Phone: 913-945-7552
Email: CTNurseNav@kumc.edu

Explore Lung Cancer Clinical Trials:

• Lung Cancer Trials
• Clinical Trial Main Page

Support Programs

Visit KU Cancer Center for information about support groups and other resources for patients and families. Visit Gilda's Club (support for all cancers and stages) or Cancer Action (for programs and services of persons with cancer, their family and friends).

References

1. The International Early Lung Cancer Action Program Investigators. Survival of Patients with Stage I Lung Cancer Detected on CT Screening. N Engl J Med 2006; 355: 1763-1771.
2. ACS Facts and Figures 2012.
3. The National Lung Screening Trial Research Team. Reduced lung-cancer mortality with low-dose computed tomographic screening. N Engl J Med 2011; 365-409.