Lung cancer care

There’s more hope than ever for people who face lung cancer and related disorders. Our experienced providers and innovative treatments offer the best possible outcomes, giving our patients a longer survival rate and enhanced quality of life.

Director, Thoracic Oncology, Corey Langer, MD

Trusted leaders in lung cancer care: Penn Medicine’s expertise sets the standard

The Lung Cancer Program at Penn Medicine features nationally recognized experts with extensive experience in diagnosing and treating lung cancer, mesothelioma, and related disorders. Lung cancer specialists from multiple disciplines—radiology, pathology, pulmonary oncology, and more—meet at our weekly Tumor Board meeting to review your case and determine the best treatment plan for you.

Patients in our lung cancer center have access to offerings not available at other hospitals, such as intraoperative imaging and clinical trials. Through intraoperative imaging, our surgeons use an injectable dye that makes lung cancer tumors “glow” under near-infrared light. This helps guide the surgeon to be able to see cancerous tissues in areas that previously may have gone undetected. Thanks to the exceptional care received at Penn Medicine and access to the latest technologies and therapies, patients have experienced improved outcomes for intermediate- and advanced-stage disease, surpassing the national average. Our experts aim to get you and all our patients on the right path to long-term health and well-being.

Clinical trials

Our clinical trials pave the way for research breakthroughs and new, effective cancer treatments.

Second opinions

If you've received a diagnosis, our team of experts offers second opinions to grant you peace of mind.

Support services

Through these offerings, you can receive specialized physical and emotional support during cancer treatment.

Lung cancers we treat

National Cancer Institute "Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center" badge on top of exterior shot of the Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine

Rated “exceptional” by The National Cancer Institute

Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center is a world leader in cancer research, patient care, and education. Our status as a national leader in cancer care is reflected in our continuous designation as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) since 1973, one of 7 such centers in the United States. The ACC is also a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, one of a select few cancer centers in the U.S., that are working to promote equitable access to high-quality, advanced cancer care.

Experienced, unmatched expertise in lung cancer care

Our doctors care for more patients with every type of lung cancer—from stage I to complex stage IV cases and everything in between—than any other hospital in the region. In addition, our patients travel from outside the state and country to get the highest level of care provided at Penn Medicine.

When you work with our experienced providers, you can expect:

  • Personalized diagnostics: Just like people, no two lung cancers are the same. Our lung cancer pathologists provide personalized diagnostics to analyze the genetic makeup of cancerous lung nodules, allowing for a more targeted and individualized treatment strategy.
  • Expert analysis: Our dedicated thoracic radiologists review patients’ imaging scans. These experts have special knowledge about lung cancer—analyzing chest scans for signs of cancer or changes in tumors is what they do every day.
  • Innovative treatments: Our skilled doctors, from surgeons to lung cancer oncologists, pulmonary oncologists, and beyond, use new surgical procedures and therapies pioneered right here at Penn Medicine to treat previously inoperable lung cancer.

Innovative and personalized lung cancer treatments

Our Lung Cancer Program offers the most advanced treatments available. These include the latest targeted therapies, immunotherapy, chemotherapy, safer radiation treatments, and new advances through clinical trials. We use a technique developed at Penn Medicine called TumorGlow® that uses an injectable dye that makes tumors more visible to surgeons. This allows for greater accuracy in removing tumors and reduces the odds of follow-up surgery.

When determining treatment options, our lung cancer experts incorporate one or more of the following treatment approaches for the full spectrum of lung cancer diagnoses, including both non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer.

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Survivorship Program

After you complete treatment, our team of experts provides attentive follow-up care and recurrence monitoring. Our goal is to assist you in maintaining the long-term health and the medical expertise needed to enjoy a fulfilled life.

Today’s research leads to tomorrow’s lung cancer advancements

Female patient listens to pulmonologist explain lung analysis results on tablet

We’re at the forefront of designing new treatments for lung cancer and related disorders. Our researchers are focused on finding the next new lung cancer breakthrough with treatment opportunities based on the latest science. We’re involved in every area of lung cancer study, finding the most impactful treatments for our patients to improve their outcomes.

Through our research program, we conduct important studies and ensure that the latest discoveries are quickly translated into better patient care. The information gained allows us to better care for people with an elevated risk for lung cancer and those who have the disease itself. Some of our recent studies include advanced molecular therapies, gene therapies, and vaccine trials for lung cancers.

Cancer care at Penn Medicine

Penn Medicine’s Cancer System is led by the Abramson Cancer Center with locations at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Hospital, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, Chester County Hospital, and outpatient locations in the Philadelphia and NJ suburbs. Beyond the greater Philadelphia region, the system includes programs at both the Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute at Lancaster General Health and Princeton Medical Center.
Diverse team of doctors having a discussion

Our doctors

Our providers work with you to plan and deliver exceptional treatment and personalized care.

Panoramic shot of Penn Medicine's downtown campus

Locations

Our hospitals, multispecialty medical centers, pharmacies, labs and more offer outstanding, personalized care for patients all across the region.

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