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Lung cancer

Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers, and is highly treatable. It can be treated through surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy. This cancer is strongly linked to a history of smoking, so you should seek lung cancer screening to determine your risk of developing this disease.

Lung cancer care in Metro Denver

Your breath is your lifeforce, and we don't let lung cancer rob you of that.

Our HealthONE lung cancer teams give accurate diagnoses and the latest treatments, such as robotic bronchoscopies. We deliver personalized care and offer you access to clinical trials, ensuring you get all the care you need.

Have cancer questions?

We can help. askSARAH is a dedicated, confidential helpline for your cancer-related questions. Our specially trained nurses are available 24/7.

We can help. askSARAH is a dedicated, confidential helpline for your cancer-related questions. Our specially trained nurses are available 24/7.

Types of lung cancer we treat

Our oncologists and lung cancer doctors, including pulmonologists and thoracic surgeons, treat many types of this disease, including:

  • Large cell lung cancer
  • Lung adenocarcinoma
  • Lung carcinoid tumors
  • Lung hamartoma
  • Lung mesothelioma
  • Lung sarcoma
  • Non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC)
  • Pleural fibroma
  • Pulmonary lymphoma
  • Small cell lung cancer
  • Squamous cell lung cancer

Lung cancer treatments we offer

Our primary goal for treatment is to produce positive outcomes for you. With many new, cutting-edge imaging technologies and cancer treatments, our specialists are able to help you live longer and healthier lives.

Multidisciplinary lung cancer care

If you receive a lung cancer diagnosis, our multidisciplinary team meets weekly to discuss your personalized treatment plan and ensure you are supported through every step of your cancer journey.

Your lung cancer care team may include:

  • Genetic counselors
  • Medical oncologists (cancer doctors)
  • Nurse navigators
  • Pathologists
  • Pulmonologists (lung doctors)
  • Radiation oncologists
  • Radiologists
  • Research investigators
  • Thoracic surgeons

Lung cancer screenings

Without lung cancer screening, lung cancer is usually not found until a person develops symptoms. At that time, the cancer is much harder to treat. The oncology teams at the Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute at HealthONE recommend annual screenings for most individuals who meet the screening criteria.

Candidates for lung cancer screening

Lung cancer screening is recommended for people who are at high risk for lung cancer.

We recommends a low-dose, lung cancer computerized tomography (CT) scan every year for people who meet the following criteria:

  • 50 to 80 years old (but must be 50 to 77 years old for Medicare)
  • Those who have at least a 20-pack-year smoking history and are current smokers or have quit within the past 15 years
  • Have a 30 “pack-year” history (a pack year is defined as smoking one pack per day)

To determine your pack-year equivalent, multiply the number of packs of cigarettes smoked each day, by the number of years you've smoked. For example, you have a 20-pack-year history if you smoked:

  • One pack a day for 20 years
  • Two packs a day for 10 years

Talk to your primary care provider about your lung cancer risk and the need for screening.


Diagnostic procedures for lung cancer

If you recently learned you have a suspicious nodule on your lung, you may find yourself struggling to cope with the uncertainty of whether the nodule is benign or cancerous. Finding the answers you need can feel like a long process, but it doesn't have to be. We offer a number of procedures to help diagnose lung cancer and get you the answers you need as soon as possible.

Robotic bronchoscopy

Bronchoscopy has become a cornerstone in the evaluation of patients suspected of having lung cancer. Our specialists at Swedish Medical Center were the first in Colorado to perform minimally invasive peripheral lung biopsies using robot-assisted technology.

This technological advancement offers doctors the stability and increased precision needed for a biopsy far into the lungs. Robotic bronchoscopy allows doctors to diagnose lung cancer earlier than ever before and is now available in our network of hospitals.


Our lung cancer treatment options

Our pulmonologists and oncologists offer a variety of treatments including:

  • Chemotherapy
  • Radiation therapy
  • Surgical procedures
    • Minimally invasive surgeries
    • Robot-assisted surgeries

Our primary goal for treatment is to produce positive outcomes for your care. With many new, cutting-edge imaging technologies and cancer treatments, our specialists are able to help you live longer and healthier lives in the face of lung cancer.

Lung nodule clinic

If lung abnormalities were found on your medical imaging (whether through our screening program or otherwise), our lung nodule clinic is here to help.

As a virtual program, the lung nodule clinic is available through all our hospitals. It connects you with nurse navigators who collaborate with your entire healthcare team. They also help coordinate your diagnosis, appointments, hospital and community resources, treatment decisions and survivorship follow-up. If needed, they can coordinate specialist referrals as well.


Research and clinical trials at HealthONE

Sarah Cannon Research Institute at HealthONE is one of the nation’s most advanced cancer research centers. Across its research network, Sarah Cannon has conducted over 500, first-in-man clinical trials and has been a clinical trial leader in the majority of approved cancer therapies over the last 10 years. If you are eligible to participate in a clinical trial, your physician and nurse navigator will work with you to help you make the decision and guide you through the process.

Find a lung cancer clinical trial

Survivorship resources

Our cancer care encompasses your entire journey — from diagnosis through survivorship. You will be assigned a dedicated nurse navigator who provides a customized survivorship care plan specific to your needs.

A survivorship plan provides a comprehensive summary of all aspects of your care including:

  • Diagnosis and test results
  • Contact information for your care team members
  • Details of any procedures you’ve had
  • Any follow-up treatments that are planned

We also incorporate a significant amount of information about available resources to help you stay healthy and strong as you enter survivorship.

Learn more about survivorship resources


About Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute

As part of Sarah Cannon, the Cancer Institute of HCA Healthcare, our family of hospitals provides comprehensive cancer services with convenient access to cutting-edge therapies for people facing cancer in our communities. From diagnosis to treatment and survivorship care, our oncology expertise ensures you have access to locally trusted care with the support of a globally recognized network.

askSARAH helpline

Have cancer questions? We can help. askSARAH is a dedicated helpline for your cancer-related questions. Our specially trained nurses are available 24/7, and all calls are confidential. Contact askSARAH at (303) 253-3225.

Looking for a location?

We also offer quality care at these other locations in our extended network.
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