Lung Cancer FAQs

A lung cancer diagnosis can raise dozens of questions at once. You may be worried about what a diagnosis means for your future, which treatments to pursue, and how to afford cancer-related expenses. Below, we’ve compiled frequently asked questions about lung cancer so you can easily get the answers you deserve.

Free Case Review

Frequently Asked Questions About Lung Cancer

If you or somebody you love is facing lung cancer, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed. A diagnosis often brings many questions about what comes next, how to get the right care, and even what caused the cancer in the first place.

At Lung Cancer Group, we understand how scary a diagnosis can be, and we’re ready to answer your questions so you can move forward with confidence.

We’ll answer common lung cancer questions like:

  • What is lung cancer? Lung cancer is when malignant tumors develop in the lungs. It’s a very common type of cancer, but without treatment it can be fatal.
  • What are the symptoms of lung cancer? Common symptoms include chest pain, coughing up blood, and shortness of breath.
  • How does asbestos cause lung cancer? If you breathe in asbestos fibers, they can get stuck in your lungs and cause damage over decades, which can trigger lung cancer to form. Asbestos also worsens the harmful effects of smoking on the lungs.
  • Is mesothelioma considered lung cancer? No, mesothelioma is actually a different cancer, although both can be caused by asbestos. Mesothelioma is less common, often starts in the lining of the lungs (pleura), and is harder to treat.
  • What are the main treatments for lung cancer? Treatments for lung cancer include surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and radiation. The best treatments will depend on your specific diagnosis.
  • What is the prognosis for lung cancer? The average prognosis is 1 year or less, but some patients can become long-term survivors thanks to advancements in treatment.
  • Do I qualify for lung cancer asbestos compensation? Our legal partners can determine if you’re eligible to receive asbestos lung cancer payouts, which may award $1 million or more.

Get our Free Lung Cancer Guide now for everything you need to know, including what to expect after a diagnosis, top treatments, compensation options, and much more.

Get Our Free Lung Cancer Guide
  • Understand risk factors
  • Find top treatments
  • Pursue compensation
Get the Guide

General Lung Cancer FAQs

We’ve answered common questions below about lung cancer basics, such as what exactly a diagnosis means, common types of lung cancer, basic symptoms, and different stages. These can serve as a starting point for newly diagnosed patients and their families.

What Is Lung Cancer?

Lung cancer develops when normal cells within the lungs become mutated, often due to exposure to toxins like cigarette smoke and asbestos. These mutated cells divide at out-of-control rates, causing tumors to form.

Lung cancer is the second most common type of cancer overall, with around a quarter of a million people being diagnosed every year, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).

While lung cancer is often aggressive and not diagnosed until it has started to spread, the good news is that many doctors are able to offer treatments to improve your survival time. And long-term survivorship is possible, even for those with advanced cases.

What Are the Main Types of Lung Cancer?

There are two main types of lung cancer, those being non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC).

Here’s what to know about each type:

  • Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): This type is most common, accounting for 80% to 85% of cases. It’s typically less aggressive and easier to treat. Surgery is often recommended for earlier stage patients.
  • Small cell lung cancer (SCLC): Making up around 15% of cases, SCLC is much less common. It’s usually treated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy, often at the same time.

There are also different subtypes within the two main types of lung cancer, such as adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and small cell carcinoma. Doctors try to identify the specific subtype because this can play a role in how your cancer will respond to specific treatments.

Is Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Aggressive?

Yes, non-small cell lung cancer can be aggressive, particularly if doctors don’t catch it early on. Like any other type of lung cancer, NSCLC has the potential to quickly spread through the body and overwhelm essential organs and tissues, leading to death.

If doctors determine you have NSCLC, they can recommend care plans to try and slow its spread so you can hopefully live as healthy of a life as possible. Many patients have become cancer-free thanks to the right treatment plan, even with aggressive NSCLC.

Call (877) 446-5767 now to get help affording care for NSCLC or other types of lung cancer.

What Are the Symptoms of Lung Cancer?

Generally speaking, symptoms of lung cancer include a bloody cough that won’t go away, shortness of breath, fatigue, unexplained weight loss, and recurring infections such as pneumonia or bronchitis. Some patients also experience less common symptoms, like clubbing of the fingernails.

If you or somebody you love is experiencing these symptoms, and they’re getting worse, make sure to reach out to your doctor and ask them about lung cancer.

In many cases, patients may have little to no symptoms of lung cancer until it has started to spread through their body. Precautionary screenings for those with a history of smoking or asbestos exposure can potentially help catch lung cancer before it’s even causing symptoms.

What Are the Stages of Lung Cancer?

The stages of lung cancer describe how far the disease has spread through the body. Most patients are only diagnosed with stage 3 or stage 4 lung cancer because this is when symptoms become more concerning or noticeable.

The stages of lung cancer include:

  • Stage 1: A small tumor is found on part of one lung.
  • Stage 2: Tumors have grown in size and may have reached lymph nodes. They may also start to block the bronchi, which are tubes that carry air through the lungs.
  • Stage 3: The cancer has spread to areas like the heart, spine, esophagus, or diaphragm. Surgery may or may not be possible.
  • Stage 4: This is the worst stage and distant metastasis, or spread to one or more body parts far beyond the lungs, has occurred. Surgery is usually not recommended, but other options could help patients live longer.

Staging helps determine the most appropriate treatment plan and gives patients a better idea of their prognosis. There are treatments available for all stages.

“Exciting new treatments have emerged in recent years — both for early-stage tumors that can be surgically removed, and for more advanced stage 4 lung cancers that have spread (metastasized).”

– Dr. Mark Awad, Lung Cancer Specialist

Get our Free Lung Cancer Guide now to get answers about lung cancer staging, treatment options, affording care, and more.

Get Our Free Lung Cancer Guide
  • Understand risk factors
  • Find top treatments
  • Pursue compensation
Get the Guide

Lung Cancer Causes FAQs

The main cause of lung cancer is smoking. With that said, it’s important for families to understand other possible causes that may have contributed to their diagnosis.

One of the most notable causes of lung cancer besides smoking is asbestos. This fiber-like material can damage lung tissue and amplify the harm from smoking.

What Are the Main Causes of Lung Cancer?

Smoking is the leading risk factor for lung cancer. Cigarette smoking contributes to 80% of lung cancer deaths in the United States alone, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Other potential causes of lung cancer include:

  • Asbestos, as these harmful fibers can damage healthy lung cells and tissue
  • Diesel exhaust, which contains carcinogens (cancer-causing material)
  • Family history of lung cancer, as some families may be predisposed
  • Radon, a colorless and odorless gas that is the main cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers
  • Secondhand smoke, which causes over 7,300 lung cancer deaths per year in the United States

If you’re worried that you might have lung cancer, make sure to let your doctor know if you have a history of any of the exposures shown above. They can use this information to help determine if you have lung cancer.

How Does Asbestos Cause Lung Cancer?

Asbestos causes lung cancer by irritating healthy lung tissue for decades. Working with or around asbestos-containing products like insulation, drywall, and wiring may have released asbestos fibers into the air.

If you breathed in these fibers, they could get trapped in your lungs. Asbestos fibers are very sharp and durable, so they can’t be broken down by the body. After 10-50 years of damage, healthy cells in your lungs could become cancerous, forming tumors.

Can Nonsmokers Get Lung Cancer?

Yes. While smoking is the biggest risk factor, nonsmokers can develop lung cancer due to radon exposure, secondhand smoke, air pollution, occupational exposures, or genetic mutations.

Anywhere from 10% to 20% of people who develop lung cancer never smoked, according to the BBC. Adenocarcinoma is far and away the most common type of lung cancer in nonsmokers.

Is Lung Cancer Hereditary?

In some cases, a family history can contribute to a lung cancer diagnosis. For example, about half of all lung cancer cases that develop in nonsmokers are linked back to genetic factors, according to San Diego’s Sharp HealthCare network.

However, in families with a history of lung cancer, it can be hard to know for sure if a diagnosis stems from genetic issues or as a result of secondhand exposure to cigarette smoke or asbestos.

What Type of Lung Cancer Is Caused by Asbestos?

Any type of lung cancer can be caused by asbestos. Many patients with either SCLC and NSCLC have had documented asbestos exposure histories.

Some researchers have suggested that it’s more common for those exposed to asbestos to develop adenocarcinoma, but more information is needed to confirm this, according to the journal Lung Cancer.

Contact us now if you or someone you love has been diagnosed with lung cancer and was ever exposed to asbestos. We can answer questions you have about asbestos-related lung cancer and help you explore next steps.

Lung Cancer, Asbestos, and Mesothelioma FAQs

Because they can both be caused by exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma and lung cancer are sometimes confused for one another. In reality, they are two separate types of cancers.

Doctors must take great care to distinguish lung cancer from mesothelioma, as the latter is very rare and requires a different treatment plan.

Is Mesothelioma Considered Lung Cancer?

No, mesothelioma isn’t considered lung cancer because it doesn’t start in the lung itself.

Here are the main differences between the two cancers:

  • Mesothelioma is only caused by asbestos exposure. The cancer can form in the linings of different organs, typically the lungs, but also the abdominal cavity, testicles, or heart. Only around 3,000 cases are diagnosed each year, and it’s very difficult to treat.
  • Lung cancer has several possible causes, most notably smoking, radon exposure, and asbestos exposure. Unlike in mesothelioma, cancer tumors form in the lungs themselves. Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers, making it easier to treat than mesothelioma.

Doctors can use different types of tests to determine whether you have mesothelioma or lung cancer. For added certainty, you can ask for another doctor to review these test results.

Is Pleural Mesothelioma Lung Cancer?

Pleural mesothelioma is not the same thing as lung cancer. This type of mesothelioma develops in the lining of the lungs, known as the pleura, 10-50 years or more after asbestos exposure. In cases of lung cancer, the tumors actually start in lung tissue.

Pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of mesothelioma, accounting for over 80% of cases diagnosed in the U.S. each year, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Still, pleural mesothelioma is significantly less common than lung cancer, which affects over 250,000 Americans every year.

Can Asbestosis Cause Lung Cancer?

Asbestosis is a lung condition caused directly by exposure to asbestos fibers. Long-term damage from the asbestos fibers causes healthy lung tissue to become stiff and scarred, leading to difficulty breathing and eventually lung failure. Asbestosis has no cure.

Asbestosis doesn’t directly cause lung cancer. However, an asbestosis diagnosis means you have a confirmed history of asbestos exposure. You could be at risk of developing lung cancer later in life as the asbestos fibers continue to damage your lungs.

Can You Get Lung Cancer From Mesothelioma?

No, you cannot get lung cancer from mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is only caused by asbestos exposure, so having lung cancer doesn’t increase your odds of getting it.

However, in rare cases, patients with one of these cancers have gone on to develop the other. For instance, Respiratory Medicine Case Reports noted one patient who had both lung cancer and pleural mesothelioma at the same time.

In these situations, it was the exposure to underlying carcinogens like cigarette smoke and asbestos that contributed to multiple cancers. Having one cancer didn’t necessarily cause the other.

Have you or a loved one been diagnosed with lung cancer or mesothelioma? We may be able to help. Get a free case review to find out if you qualify for compensation to cover expenses.

Get Help for Asbestos Lung Cancer
  • Access Financial Aid and Justice
  • Learn About Your Options
  • Contact Us for Free
Free Case ReviewAn older man and his wife hold each other.

Lung Cancer Diagnosis FAQs

Doctors use several different tests to determine if a patient has lung cancer and rule out other conditions that could be causing symptoms. Each patient’s lung cancer diagnosis is unique and includes factors like the specific type and stage.

When lung cancer is confirmed, doctors can consider the specifics of each patient’s situation and recommend treatment plans that best suit their needs.

How Is Lung Cancer Diagnosed?

To diagnose lung cancer, doctors first conduct a basic exam of the patient to check for symptoms and note any past exposure to carcinogens like cigarette smoke, asbestos fibers, radon, and more.

From there, they’ll order different tests to look within the lungs for tumor buildup and other signs of cancer.

A lung cancer diagnosis may involve testing like:

  • Computed tomography (CT) scans
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans
  • Positron emission tomography (PET) scans
  • X-rays

If lung cancer is still suspected after these imaging tests, doctors will order a biopsy. This is a special procedure to remove tissue and fluid so specialists can look at it under a microscope to check for lung cancer cells.

All of these tests help paint a clear diagnostic picture so doctors can recommend the most effective therapies for the patient.

What Is Lung Cancer Screening?

Lung cancer screening uses a low-dose CT scan to detect lung cancer early in people who are at high risk of developing this disease.

It can be helpful for diagnosing lung cancer before it causes symptoms. In many cases, this means that the cancer will be in an earlier stage, making it easier to treat

Screening for lung cancer is generally recommended for:

  • Adults aged 50 to 80
  • Current smokers
  • Former smokers who quit within the past 15 years

If you or someone you love is a current or former smoker, ask your doctor about getting screened for lung cancer. The potential benefits of cancer screenings are significant, so don’t wait.

Should I Get a Second Opinion for a Lung Cancer Diagnosis?

During a second opinion, another lung cancer doctor will review prior test results, biopsy findings, and diagnostic reports. They can then use this information to confirm your diagnosis or offer a more accurate one.

Many cancer centers encourage second opinions for lung cancer, especially in complex or advanced cases.

Second opinions have provided some lung cancer patients with more treatment options than they initially thought were available. While there are no guarantees, it’s important to consider how a second opinion could change your situation.

What Is the Finger Test for Lung Cancer?

This refers to the Schamroth window test, which you can do at home to look for finger clubbing, a potential sign of lung cancer.

Here’s how to perform the finger test for lung cancer:

  1. Point your index fingers toward your chest
  2. Press both fingernails together
  3. Look between the fingernails for a thin, diamond-shaped window or gap

If there’s no gap between the fingernails, it could mean that your nails are clubbed and that you have lung cancer.

However, this window test isn’t enough to definitively diagnose lung cancer. For best results, make sure to see a doctor who can assess any symptoms and recommend diagnostic tests.

Lung Cancer Treatment FAQs

Doctors can recommend a wide range of treatments for lung cancer patients depending on their specific type, stage, overall health, and other factors. Common lung cancer treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy.

Getting treatment is often essential for lung cancer patients who are looking to live longer. Various treatment options can also help patients generally feel better and have an improved quality of life.

What Are the Main Treatments for Lung Cancer?

There are currently six main treatments that doctors can recommend to kill lung cancer cells and shrink or remove tumors.

Notable lung cancer treatments include:

  • Chemotherapy: Using different combinations of medications to destroy fast-growing lung cancer cells
  • Immunotherapy: Training the body’s immune system to find and fight lung cancer
  • Radiation therapy: Aiming beams of energy at lung cancer tumors to shrink them
  • Radiofrequency ablation: Inserting an electrically charged needle into a lung tumor to kill cancer cells
  • Surgery: Using different techniques to remove all or part of a lung and cancer tumors
  • Targeted therapy: Administering drugs that kill lung cancer with less damage to healthy cells

Doctors often combine several lung cancer treatments in multimodal treatment plans to destroy as much of the cancer as possible.

In addition to these main treatments, doctors can recommend various pain-relieving options as part of palliative care. Lung cancer patients may also be eligible to join clinical trials testing new treatments, depending on their diagnosis.

Call (877) 446-5767 for help learning more about different lung cancer treatments and how to afford them.

What Are Common Lung Cancer Treatment Side Effects?

Most lung cancer treatments come with a risk of side effects. This is because every treatment has the potential to harm healthy organs and tissue.

Common side effects of lung cancer treatment include:

  • Appetite loss
  • Constipation and diarrhea
  • Fatigue
  • Hair loss
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Peripheral neuropathy (numbness or tingling in hands and
  • feet)
  • Scarring from surgery
  • Skin rash

Lung cancer patients must also be monitored for severe complications, such as infections or organ inflammation.

Lung cancer doctors at top hospitals understand the potential risks and side effects of each treatment. They can explain these to you before you receive any lung cancer treatment and help you manage them throughout the process.

What Is the Goal of My Lung Cancer Treatment Plan?

The goal of each patient’s lung cancer treatment plan is unique to their case. For many patients, regardless of cancer stage, the purpose is to extend life as much as possible. This is typically accomplished through more aggressive treatment options like surgery.

For patients with advanced lung cancer, the treatment goal often shifts toward maintaining the best quality of life possible.

Lung cancer treatment goals can shift over time depending on your preferences, how your cancer responds to specific therapies, and other factors. For best results, stay in close communication with your lung cancer care team.

How Does Immunotherapy Treat Lung Cancer?

Immunotherapy helps the immune system recognize and attack lung cancer cells. Because lung cancer cells are mutated versions of healthy cells, the immune system may not always recognize and destroy them. Immunotherapy helps correct this.

Different immunotherapy drugs that can treat lung cancer include:

  • Atezolizumab (Tecentriq®)
  • Durvalumab (Imfinzi®)
  • Nivolumab (Opdivo®)
  • Pembrolizumab (Keytruda®)

Lung cancer immunotherapy is commonly used for advanced or stage IV non-small cell lung cancer and may be combined with chemotherapy.

What Chemo Drugs Are Used for Lung Cancer?

Doctors can use several different chemotherapy drugs to treat lung cancer depending on the specifics of each patient’s case.

Commonly used lung cancer chemotherapy drugs include:

  • Carboplatin
  • Cisplatin
  • Docetaxel (Taxotere®)
  • Gemcitabine (Gemzar®)
  • Pemetrexed (Alimta®)
  • Vinorelbine (Navelbine®)

Multiple chemotherapy drugs may be used together, administered before or after other treatments like surgery to kill as much of the cancer as possible.

Lung cancer patients typically need to undergo multiple cycles of chemotherapy, during which they receive a dose and then have a recovery period, for best results.

What Is Palliative Care for Lung Cancer?

Palliative care for lung cancer focuses on reducing symptoms, easing side effects of major treatments, and improving quality of life.

If you are receiving palliative care, it doesn’t mean that you’re dying or that you can’t get life-extending therapies. In fact, palliative options can be provided at any stage of the lung cancer treatment process to help you feel better.

Notable lung cancer palliative care options include:

  • Dietary supplements
  • Medications to ease pain and improve appetite
  • Minor surgeries
  • Oxygen therapy to help with breathing

If you’re dealing with discomfort or pain from lung cancer, ask your doctor what types of palliative care may be right for you.

Can Lung Cancer Be Removed by Surgery?

Yes, it may be possible for doctors to remove lung cancer tumors through surgery. Depending on the extent of the tumor spread, doctors may recommend removing part or all of a lung along with any tumors they see.

Common lung cancer surgeries include:

  • Lobectomy: This is the least invasive option and removes one lobe (lung segment)
  • Wedge resection: Doctors remove a bigger part of the lung to prevent cancer spread
  • Pneumonectomy: The most aggressive option in which doctors remove an entire lung

Specialists at top lung cancer hospitals can often use chemotherapy or radiation to shrink tumors before surgery so they’re easier to remove, or to reduce the risk of recurrence (where cancer comes back) after the procedure.

Whether or not you’ll be a good candidate for lung cancer surgery depends on factors like how far the cancer has spread, your overall health, and the risk of complications. For more information, talk to your care providers.

How Much Does Lung Cancer Treatment Cost?

Lung cancer treatment can be expensive. In one medical study from the ACS, lung cancer treatment costs reached over $140,000 before insurance.

Even with insurance plans, many families can be facing high medical bills that they never anticipated following a lung cancer diagnosis. These unexpected costs can also impact a family’s ability to afford even basic living expenses like electricity.

In these cases, it’s important to explore potential compensation options to help reduce lung cancer treatment costs. Get a free case review to find out if you qualify for compensation for lung cancer expenses.

Get Help for Asbestos Lung Cancer
  • Access Financial Aid and Justice
  • Learn About Your Options
  • Contact Us for Free
Free Case ReviewAn older man and his wife hold each other.

Lung Cancer Prognosis FAQs

Prognosis is a term doctors use to estimate the expected health outcome for a patient with a given condition. The average lung cancer prognosis is generally not favorable, with most patients living for 1 year or less.

With that said, lung cancer prognosis can vary depending on factors like stage of diagnosis, the type of cancer, other health issues, and responsiveness to treatment. Some lung cancer patients have greatly outlived their expected prognosis, becoming 20- or even 30-year survivors.

What Is the Life Expectancy of a Person With Lung Cancer?

Life expectancy is the amount of time that doctors believe a patient will live following diagnosis. Many lung cancer patients have poor prognoses, particularly those diagnosed in later stages.

Here are the lung cancer life expectancies for:

  • NSCLC: These patients live for 11-13 months on average
  • SCLC: Patients with SCLC typically live for around 7 months

Patients diagnosed with NSCLC usually have a better chance of living longer because this type is often easier to treat than SCLC.

What Is the Survival Rate for Lung Cancer?

Survival rates measure the percentage of patients who are still alive after a set period of time. They’re typically measured in years. Lung cancer survival rates depend largely on the type and stage of cancer.

StageNSCLC 5-year survival rateSCLC 5-year survival rate
Localized (Stage 1)67%34%
Regional (Stages 2-3)40%20%
Distant (Stage 4)12%4%
Overall32%9%

Survival rates and life expectancy figures are estimates, and they may not apply to your situation. New and more effective treatments are gradually improving prognosis, leading to more patients reaching 10, 15, or even 20 years of survivorship.

If you have questions about your individual outlook, your oncology care team can provide guidance tailored to your situation.

Can You Get Rid of Lung Cancer?

In some cases, it’s possible to experience complete remission from lung cancer. Complete remission means that there is no sign of lung cancer within your body.

Typically, you’re more likely to enter complete remission if you’re diagnosed with early-stage lung cancer and undergo aggressive treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy.

While there’s always a chance that lung cancer could come back (recurrence), some patients have lived normal, full lives after one course of treatment.

Is Lung Cancer Curable?

There isn’t a uniform cure for lung cancer right now. Some cases of lung cancer, particularly those in the early stages, may informally be considered curable by doctors depending on the treatment plan.

Patients who get aggressive treatment before cancer spreads are more likely to become long-term lung cancer survivors. However, even late-stage lung cancer patients could be considered “cured,” too.

For instance, Jim was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer in 2005 and given a less than 1% chance of living past 2 years. Thanks to treatment, he has been cancer-free since 2006.

“I was supposed to be dead. There have been a lot of ‘I’ll be dead before this’ or ‘I’ll be dead before that happens,’ but I just keep living.”

– Jim, 20-year lung cancer survivor

Lung Cancer & Asbestos Compensation FAQs

Those who have developed lung cancer and have a history of asbestos exposure could be eligible for financial compensation to cover their medical bills, basic living costs, and more. At Lung Cancer Group, we may be able to help families pursue financial compensation for a lung cancer diagnosis.

Is Lung Cancer Asbestos Compensation Available for Patients?

There are different ways to access lung cancer compensation, with some of the most notable being through the legal system.

By filing asbestos lung cancer lawsuits, families can demand financial accountability from companies that used asbestos-containing materials while failing to disclose the health risks. It’s also possible to file asbestos trust fund claims against manufacturers to get money without a lawsuit.

More lung cancer financial support is available through:

  • Hospital payment plans
  • Insurance benefits
  • Medicare or Medicaid
  • Nonprofit organizations

All of these options can go a long way in supporting you and your family financially after a lung cancer diagnosis.

How Do I File a Mesothelioma or Lung Cancer Lawsuit?

Lung Cancer Group has partnered with top asbestos law firms that can handle the work of a lawsuit for you, making it much less stressful.

Here’s how to file a mesothelioma or lung cancer lawsuit with our help:

  1. Determine your eligibility through a free case review now
  2. If you agree to work with us, you’ll be assigned a legal team
  3. Your attorneys will gather information related to your diagnosis and asbestos exposure
  4. Your legal team files a lawsuit against companies that made the asbestos products in question
  5. Your lawyers will work to negotiate strong payouts for you through out-of-court settlements or take your case to trial if needed

With a lung cancer attorney handling your case, the legal burden is taken off your shoulders so you can focus on getting treatment and spending time with your family.

Can You Win a Lawsuit for Lung Cancer?

It may be possible to win a lung cancer lawsuit and get compensation with help from skilled attorneys. These lawsuits are filed against the manufacturers of asbestos materials that hid the health risks for decades.

Lung cancer attorneys can gather evidence showing how asbestos caused your illness, file claims with the manufacturers responsible, and work to pursue meaningful financial payouts through either out-of-court settlements or a trial verdict.

You also may be able to file successful lung cancer wrongful death lawsuits if somebody you love passed away from this cancer. Top lung cancer lawyers can outline how asbestos led to a fatal lung cancer diagnosis and demand payment for your loved one’s loss, funeral expenses, and more.

How Much Asbestos Lung Cancer Compensation Is Available Through Lawsuits?

While every case value is different, many lung cancer patients who have worked with our legal partners have recovered $1 million or more through successful lawsuits.

Lung cancer lawsuit payouts our partners have secured include:

  • $3 million for a Missouri woman
  • $1.6 million for a California plumber and his wife
  • $1 million for a New York electrician
  • $2 million for a California construction worker
  • $1.36 million for a California mechanic
  • $2.77 million for a Tennessee pipefitter

You could start receiving the first payments from a lung cancer lawsuit in just a few months, depending on your case’s payout timeline.

Get a free case review now to find out how much money you could potentially receive through a lung cancer lawsuit.

Get Help for Asbestos Lung Cancer
  • Access Financial Aid and Justice
  • Learn About Your Options
  • Contact Us for Free
Free Case ReviewAn older man and his wife hold each other.

Are There Deadlines to Pursue Compensation for Lung Cancer?

Yes, there are deadlines to pursue lung cancer compensation. These are called statutes of limitations, and they vary by state. In many states, you only have 2-3 years following a lung cancer diagnosis or a loved one’s death to file a lung cancer lawsuit.

For best results, speak to a lung cancer attorney shortly after a diagnosis or a loved one’s death. Top lung cancer law firms understand the statutes of limitations that apply to your case and can file a claim before time runs out.

What Are Lung Cancer Compensation Trust Funds?

Asbestos trust funds were established by bankrupt manufacturers of asbestos-containing products. Today, there are dozens of active lung cancer trust funds collectively containing over $30 billion.

You or a loved one may be able to access some of this money depending on which products contributed to your lung cancer diagnosis. A lung cancer lawyer can determine which asbestos trusts you’re eligible for and file claims on your behalf.

Call (877) 446-5767 now to find out if you qualify for financial compensation after a lung cancer diagnosis.

Finding Answers and Support After a Lung Cancer Diagnosis

A lung cancer diagnosis can bring fear, confusion, and an overwhelming number of questions. Lung Cancer Group can help you find the answers you seek and support you throughout your journey.

Whether you’re newly diagnosed, supporting a loved one, or seeking clarity about next steps, we’re ready to assist you and your family.

We’re here to answer questions like:

  • Can I file a mesothelioma or lung cancer lawsuit?
  • How are asbestos, lung cancer, and mesothelioma related?
  • How does asbestos cause lung cancer?
  • Is mesothelioma considered lung cancer?
  • What is the best treatment for lung cancer?
  • What is my mesothelioma or lung cancer survival rate?

You don’t have to face lung cancer alone. Call (877) 446-5767 or get a Free Lung Cancer Guide now to start getting the answers you need.

Lung Cancer Group was established by a team of caring advocates so those with lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases can get the help they deserve. Our site provides the most accurate and up-to-date information about lung cancer, its link to asbestos, and financial compensation available to patients. Contact us to learn more and get assistance.

  1. American Cancer Society. (n.d.). Can Lung Cancer Be Found Early? Retrieved from
    https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/lung-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/detection.html.
  2. American Cancer Society. (n.d.). The Costs of Cancer. Retrieved from https://www.fightcancer.org/sites/default/files/National%20Documents/Costs-of-Cancer-2020-10222020.pdf.
  3. American Cancer Society. (n.d.). Key Statistics for Lung Cancer. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/lung-cancer/about/key-statistics.html.
  4. American Cancer Society. (n.d.). Lung Cancer Survival Rates. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/lung-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/survival-rates.html.
  5. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. (n.d.). Health Effects of Asbestos. Retrieved from
    https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/asbestos/health-effects/.
  6. BBC. (2026, June 5). The mystery rise of lung cancer in non-smokers. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20250605-the-mystery-rise-of-lung-cancer-in-non-smokers.
  7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). U.S. Cancer Statistics Lung Cancer Stat Bite. Retrieved from
    https://www.cdc.gov/united-states-cancer-statistics/publications/lung-cancer-stat-bite.html.
  8. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2026, May 18). Lung Cancer Risk Factors. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/lung-cancer/risk-factors/index.html.
  9. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Tobacco-Related Mortality. Retrieved from https://archive.cdc.gov/www_cdc_gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/health_effects/tobacco_related_mortality/index.htm.
  10. Cleveland Clinic. (2025, January 16). Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/6203-non-small-cell-lung-cancer.
  11. Cleveland Clinic. (2022, December 16). Pleural Mesothelioma. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15044-pleural-mesothelioma.
  12. Cleveland Clinic (2022, September 28). Small Cell Lung Cancer. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/6202-small-cell-lung-cancer.
  13. Lung Cancer. (September 2024). Lung cancer caused by asbestos: What a reporting pathologist needs to know. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169500224003830.
  14. Lung Cancer Foundation of America. (n.d.). Vietnam Era Vet Survives Lung Cancer: Jim Pantelas. Retrieved from https://lcfamerica.org/story/vietnam-era-vet-survives-lung-cancer/.
  15. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. (2024, November 15). New Lung Cancer Treatments Aim to Reduce Deaths in 2025 and Beyond. Retrieved from https://www.mskcc.org/news/new-lung-cancer-treatments-aim-to-reduce-deaths-in-2025-and-beyond.
  16. National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). Cancer Stat Facts: Lung and Bronchus Cancer. Retrieved from https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/lungb.html.
  17. Respiratory Medicine Case Reports. (n.d.). Simultaneous presence of lung adenocarcinoma and malignant pleural mesothelioma: A case report. Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6260452/.
  18. Sharp HealthCare. (2025, November 13). The hidden role of genetics in lung cancer. Retrieved from https://www.sharp.com/health-news/the-hidden-role-of-genetics-in-lung-cancer.
  19. U.S. National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). Lung cancer. Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/lung-cancer/#causes.
Free Case Review

Get Financial Compensation for Lung Cancer

  • Afford medical expenses and any other bills
  • Find peace of mind for you and your family
  • Get justice from the companies that harmed you

Call (877) 446-5767 or fill out the form to connect with our team and pursue financial compensation after a lung cancer diagnosis.

Start a Free Case Review
I understand by submitting this form that I am providing my consent to be contacted by Sokolove Law and its co-counsel, potentially using automated technology, at the number provided regarding my potential claim/their services. Consent is not required to use their services. Msg frequency varies, and message and data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help or STOP to unsubscribe. SMS Terms of Service. I understand and agree that by submitting this form I agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use and that this form does not create an attorney-client relationship and is not confidential or privileged and may be shared.

Secure Submission

Call us at (877) 446-5767 Talk to us via Live Chat