Adenocarcinoma lung cancer: diagnosis, treatment and next steps

A tissue sample confirms the cell type. Imaging helps show where the cancer is, while molecular testing can identify tumour changes that may guide medicines. Care may involve surgery, radiotherapy, systemic treatment, symptom control, or a planned combination.

Adenocarcinoma begins in gland-forming cells, often toward the outer parts of a lung. The pathology report may describe the sample's appearance and whether testing found actionable molecular changes. These details are separate from stage: pathology identifies the cancer, whereas staging describes its location and spread.

Lung adenocarcinoma can present with a persistent cough, breathlessness, chest discomfort, coughing blood, unexplained weight loss or a hoarse voice. It may also be found on imaging before it causes noticeable symptoms.

Keep copies of the pathology report, scan reports and current medicine list. Check whether enough tissue is available for biomarker testing and whether any further imaging is needed. A multidisciplinary team can then relate the stage and molecular findings to treatment choices.

Surgery may be considered when the tumour can be removed and lung function permits it. Radiotherapy can treat selected areas, and systemic treatments travel through the bloodstream. Supportive and palliative care can be introduced alongside cancer treatment to relieve breathlessness, pain, fatigue or appetite problems.

Seek urgent medical help for severe or rapidly worsening breathlessness, new confusion, fainting, sudden weakness on one side, a new seizure, or coughing up more than a small streak of blood. These symptoms need assessment regardless of their cause.

Contact your cancer team promptly for a new persistent headache, worsening chest pain, fever during anticancer treatment, or side effects that prevent drinking or taking medicines. The team can advise whether you need same-day examination, tests or treatment adjustment.

Ask what the biopsy shows, what stage has been assigned, which biomarker results are available, and what each proposed treatment is intended to achieve. Also ask how treatment may affect breathing and daily activities, which side effects warrant an urgent call, and who to contact outside clinic hours.