Lung cancer
Lung cancer is the 4th most common cancer in Ireland, with almost 2,600 people being diagnosed each year. It usually affects people over the age of 50.
Lung cancer can be treated with surgery, drug therapies and radiotherapy, depending on the type and where it is found.
On this page:
What is lung cancer?
Lung cancer is when the cells in your lung change and start to grow out of control. These cells increase to form a tumour. Cells from this tumour may spread to other parts of the body.
Almost 2,600 people are diagnosed with lung cancer each year in Ireland.*
Sometimes cancer spreads to the lungs from somewhere else in your body, for example, from the breast or bowel. This is treated differently to cancer that starts in the lung (primary lung cancer). If you want to know about another cancer type that has spread to the lung (metastatic cancer), please see our metastatic cancer page or speak to our nurses - Call Freephone 1800 200 700 or visit a Daffodil Centre.
What are the lungs and what do they do?
The lungs are sponge-like organs in your chest. They allow our bodies to use oxygen by breathing. Your right lung is slightly bigger than your left and has 3 areas called lobes. Your left lung has 2 lobes. The area between the 2 lungs is called the mediastinum. It holds the heart, the oesophagus (food pipe), the trachea (windpipe) and many lymph nodes.
When you breathe in, your bring air into your lungs. Air passes from your nose or mouth through your trachea (windpipe). from there it divides into 2 airways - the right and left bronchus, which each connect to a lung. The bronchi divide into smaller tubes called bronchioles. Air passes through these bronchioles and into tiny air sacs called alveoli.
The alveoli allow oxygen from the air to pass into your bloodstream when you breathe in. The bloodstream carries oxygen to the cells in your body. The cells need oxygen to live and carry out everyday functions. Carbon dioxide is a waste gas made during cell activity, and your body must get rid of it. Carbon dioxide moves from your bloodstream into the alveoli and leaves your body when you breathe out.
More information about lung cancer
More information about a lung cancer diagnosis
More information about lung cancer treatment
Treatment for lung cancer includes surgery, chemotherapy, targeted and immunotherapies and radiotherapy. For more information about treatments for lung cancer, visit our treatment page.
Coping with lung cancer treatment and side-effects
Looking for support?
Our cancer support section contains information and advice on coping with cancer for diagnosed patients and their loved ones.
*The Irish Cancer Society uses the most up-to-date cancer statistics from the National Cancer Registry Ireland, available on www.ncri.ie
For more information
Phone
1800 200 700
Medical content updated from our Understanding lung cancer and mesothelioma booklet (2024). Reviewed by Mr Gerard Fitzmaurice, Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon s.i. Thoracic Surgical Oncology, Dr Claudia Carvajal Sanjines, Consultant Radiation Oncologist, Christopher Cronin, Specialist Registrar in Medical Oncology, Aine Ward, Cardiothoracic ANP, Clara Cremin, Clinical Specialist Radiation Therapist, Debbie Kelleher, Clinical Specialist Radiation Therapist.
