---
title: "Lung and thoracic cancer services at Sutter Health"
description: "Receive advanced lung and thoracic cancer care at Sutter, including state-of-the-art lung cancer screenings, diagnostics and personalized treatments."
url: "https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/lung-thoracic-cancer"
---

1.  [Home](https://www.sutterhealth.org/) /
2.  [Services](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services) /
3.  Lung and thoracic cancer services

# Lung and thoracic cancer 

Our dedicated specialists provide focused, coordinated care for lung and thoracic cancers with advanced screening, diagnostic imaging, treatments, surgery, and medical and radiation oncology.

[Find a thoracic oncologist](https://www.sutterhealth.org/find-provider-results?staticFilters=[{%22displayName%22:%22Lung%20Cancer%22,%22selected%22:true,%22filter%22:{%22kind%22:%22disjunction%22,%22combinator%22:%22$or%22,%22filters%22:[{%22kind%22:%20%22fieldValue%22,%22fieldId%22:%22c_relatedConditions.name%22,%22value%22:%22Lung%20Cancer%22,%22matcher%22:%22$eq%22}]}}]&verticalKey=healthcare_professionals)

[Request a referral](https://www.sutterhealth.org/referrals)

## Why choose Sutter?

Our lung nodule specialists help shorten the time from diagnosis to care for noncancerous and cancerous lung masses. Using a team-based approach, we evaluate lung nodules and guide next steps. At select centers, this may include diagnosing, staging and analyzing cancer from a single biopsy.

If you’re diagnosed with lung or thoracic cancer, specialists in radiology, pulmonology, thoracic surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, palliative care, patient navigators and more collaborate to create a personalized treatment plan. This high-quality care is why Becker’s Hospital Review named Sutter among the nation’s top Cancer Programs of Excellence.

[Early detection](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/lung-thoracic-cancer#faqs) and treatment can help save lives. Whether cancer is found through screening or other testing, our Lung Nodule and Cancer Screening program brings together leading-edge imaging and coordinated follow-up care to help guide you forward with confidence.

## By the numbers

### 250+

Cancer Specialists

cover every cancer specialty from breast cancer to bone marrow transplants.

### 20+

Cancer Centers

offer unmatched cancer care on top of 60+ imaging locations.

### 150+

cancer clinical trials

are underway to unlock the next breakthrough cancer treatment.

### 17,000+

People

entrust Sutter with their newly diagnosed cancer care each year.

## Need a referral?

Chat live with our team Monday through Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, or call us at [888-834-1788](tel:+18888341788).

[Request a referral](https://www.sutterhealth.org/referrals)

## Conditions

-   [Lung cancer](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/lung-thoracic-cancer)
-   Lung mass
-   Mesothelioma
-   [Thoracic Cancer](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/lung-thoracic-cancer)

## Diagnostics

-   Bronchoscopy
-   Chest CT scan
-   Chest x-ray
-   CT Guided Biopsy
-   Endobronchial ultrasound
-   Endoscopic ultrasound
-   Lung cancer screening
-   PET scan

## Treatments

-   Biotherapy
-   Esophageal Surgery
-   Esophagectomy
-   Laser therapy
-   [Radiation therapy](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/radiation-oncology)
-   Surgical oncology
-   Targeted therapy
-   Thoracic Surgery
-   Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery

## Who should get screened for lung cancer?

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death, but not everyone should be screened. Heba Ismail, M.D., breaks down who should be screened and how the scan works.

## Awards and accreditations

[View all Awards and accreditations](https://www.sutterhealth.org/about-us/awards?verticalKey=awards&facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_awardServices.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Lung+and+thoracic+cancer%22%5D%7D%5D)

U.S. News & World Report

2024-2025

High-Performing in Lung Cancer Surgery

U.S. News & World Report

2022

High-Performing in Lung Cancer Surgery

American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer

Multi-Year Recognition

Cancer Programs Accreditation

U.S. News & World Report

2025-2026

Best Hospital for Lung Cancer Surgery

Newsweek

2025

America’s Best Cancer Hospitals

[View all Awards and accreditations](https://www.sutterhealth.org/about-us/awards?verticalKey=awards&facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_awardServices.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Lung+and+thoracic+cancer%22%5D%7D%5D)

In the news

[View all news](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/category/cancer-care/)

![GO2-Sutter-Health-Survivor-Patient](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Images/people/women/GO2-Sutter-Health-Survivor-Patient.jpg?h=1414&iar=0&w=2142)Blog

### [Navigating Lung Cancer with Heart](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/navigating-lung-cancer-with-heart/) 

![Stefan-Walczak-2-scaled-e1703136549467-1235x720](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Images/people/men/Stefan-Walczak-2-scaled-e1703136549467-1235x720.jpg?h=720&iar=0&w=1235)Blog

### [Lung Cancer Caught Early Restores Health for Yuba City Resident](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/lung-cancer-caught-early-restores-health-for-yuba-city-resident/) 

![surgeons-opperating-on-throat](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Images/medical-doctors/surgeons-opperating-on-throat.jpg?h=1703&iar=0&w=2560)Blog

### [New Procedure Speeds Early Lung Cancer Care; Here’s How](http://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fvitals.sutterhealth.org%2Fnew-surgical-protocol-for-lung-cancer-speeds-care-for-patients%2F&data=05%7C02%7CKelli.CrumpWeiner%40sutterhealth.org%7C5468be1fee8e4a20cd1e08de5881a688%7Caef453eadaa243e0be62818066e9ff63%7C0%7C0%7C639045511376688894%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=xf8af6XLKUNWiryigI0V1jhhAv95eSP9ax7wDDDFbog%3D&reserved=0) 

![scientist-in-lab-600x300](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Images/medical-doctors/scientist-in-lab-600x3001.jpg?h=300&iar=0&w=600)

## Lung cancer research

Our investigators perform lung cancer research at Sutter’s world-class research institutes, leading to advancements in diagnosis and treatment.

[View clinical trials](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_researchTopics.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Lung+Cancer%22%5D%7D%5D&verticalKey=clinical_trial)

![scientist-in-lab-600x300](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Images/medical-doctors/scientist-in-lab-600x3001.jpg?h=300&iar=0&w=600)

![thoughtful-female-cancer-patient](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Images/people/women/thoughtful-female-cancer-patient.jpg?h=483&iar=0&w=724)

## Predict cancer through genetics

If you have cancer or a family history of cancer, consider genetic counseling and testing with trusted professionals at Sutter.

[Explore genetic counseling](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/genetic-testing-counseling)

## Sutter spotlight

Page

### [Get screened for cancer](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/get-screened-for-cancer)

Screenings save lives. Learn when you should get screened for the most common cancers.

Health & wellness

### [Understand Your Cancer Risk](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/understand-your-cancer-risk)

You can take some simple steps to lower your risk.

Page

### [Preventive care](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/preventive-care-guidelines)

Stay up to date on your screenings. Find out when check ups, screenings and immunizations are recommended for your age group, then talk with your provider about what’s right for you.  

## Patient stories

[View all stories](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories)

-   [Patient story
    
    ### Suspicious Scan Spurs Woman’s Lung Biopsy Using Latest Tech
    
    ](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories/suspicious-scan-spurs-womans-lung-biopsy-using-latest-tech-2023563883)

[View all stories](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories)

## Frequently asked questions

**Who should receive an annual lung cancer screening?**

You may qualify for a low-dose CT lung cancer screening if you:

-   Are 50 and 80 years old (for Medicare/Medicaid, eligibility is ages 50–77, up to your 78th birthday)
-   Have no current symptoms of lung cancer
-   Currently smoke or quit smoking within the past 15 years
-   Have a smoking history of 20 pack-years or more

**What does it mean if a lung nodule is found?**

Lung nodules can have different causes and are common. They may be detected during screening or found incidentally on other CT scans of the chest. When a nodule is identified, it's important to monitor it. Follow-up imaging or additional evaluation may be recommended to better understand what it is and whether further testing is needed.

**What happens if I have a lung nodule?**

If a lung nodule is found, your care team may:

-   Evaluate imaging results
-   Create a personalized follow-up plan based on your risk factors and family history
-   Refer you to medical or surgical specialists for further evaluation or treatment

**Are low-dose CT scans for lung cancer screenings accurate?**

A recent National Cancer Institute study gave annual low-dose CT scans to people between the ages of 55–74 who had a heavy smoking history but were otherwise symptom-free. They found people who received low-dose CT scans were 20% less likely to die from lung cancer compared to screenings with annual chest X-rays.

**What is a pack-year?** 

A pack-year is a way to measure how much someone has smoked over time:

-   20 years × 1 pack/day (20 cigarettes/day) = 20 pack-years
-   10 years × 2 packs/day (40 cigarettes/day) = 20 pack-years
-   40 years × ½ pack/day (10 cigarettes/day) = 20 pack-years

[Calculate your pack year](https://shouldiscreen.com/English/pack-year-calculator "Calculate your pack year").

To determine your eligibility for screening, you can also take the [lung cancer risk quiz](https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/lung-cancer/saved-by-the-scan/quiz "lung cancer risk quiz") provided by the American Lung Association.

Please discuss cigar and tobacco pipe smoking with your primary care provider or one of our tobacco treatment specialists. Sutter also offers smoking cessation counseling and education for individuals who are ready to take the next step toward quitting smoking.

**Why does lung cancer screening matter?**

Screening helps detect lung cancer early — often before symptoms appear — so care can begin sooner if needed. Benefits of lung cancer screening include:

-   Finds cancer at an earlier, more treatable stage
-   Noninvasive screening with a low-dose CT scan
-   Quick procedure and doesn't require recovery time
-   Typically covered by insurance when eligibility requirements are met

Most lung nodules found through screening are not cancerous, but monitoring them is important. Our team will help guide next steps if follow-up care is needed.

Talk to your [primary care provider](https://www.sutterhealth.org/find-provider-results?facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22acceptingNewPatients%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5Btrue%5D%7D%2C%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_providerSpecialties.specialty.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Family+Medicine%22%2C%22Internal+Medicine%22%5D%7D%5D&limit=10&staticFilters=%5B%7B%22displayName%22%3A%22Sutter+Medical+Group%22%2C%22selected%22%3Atrue%2C%22filter%22%3A%7B%22kind%22%3A%22fieldValue%22%2C%22fieldId%22%3A%22c_isSutterMedicalGroup%22%2C%22matcher%22%3A%22%24eq%22%2C%22value%22%3Atrue%7D%7D%5D&verticalKey=healthcare_professionals) about whether a lung cancer screening is right for you and ask for a [referral.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/referrals)

## Early detection matters

Find lung and thoracic cancer care at Sutter, with advanced screening and coordinated follow-up.

[Find a thoracic oncologist](https://www.sutterhealth.org/find-provider-results?staticFilters=[{%22displayName%22:%22Lung%20Cancer%22,%22selected%22:true,%22filter%22:{%22kind%22:%22disjunction%22,%22combinator%22:%22$or%22,%22filters%22:[{%22kind%22:%20%22fieldValue%22,%22fieldId%22:%22c_relatedConditions.name%22,%22value%22:%22Lung%20Cancer%22,%22matcher%22:%22$eq%22}]}}]&verticalKey=healthcare_professionals)

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