Lung Adenocarcinoma: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Lung Adenocarcinoma?
An oncologist, a cancer doctor, treats lung adenocarcinoma. A pulmonologist, a lung doctor, often helps with diagnosis, and a thoracic surgeon, a chest surgeon, may remove the tumor. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is lung adenocarcinoma?
Adenocarcinoma is a type of lung cancer that begins in the cells that line the alveoli and make substances such as mucus. The alveoli are the tiny air sacs at the end of the airways.
It is the most common type of non-small cell lung cancer. Non-small cell lung cancer is more common than small cell lung cancer.
Symptoms
Sometimes lung cancer does not cause any signs or symptoms. It may be found during a chest x-ray done for another condition. Symptoms may include:
- Chest pain or discomfort.
- A cough that does not go away or gets worse over time.
- Coughing up blood.
- Trouble breathing.
- Wheezing.
- Hoarseness.
- Loss of appetite, weight loss for no known reason, or feeling very tired.
These signs may be caused by lung cancer or by other conditions.
Causes and who gets it
Smoking tobacco now or in the past is the most important risk factor for lung cancer. Lung adenocarcinoma occurs mainly in people who smoke or used to smoke.
It is also the most common type of lung cancer seen in people who do not smoke. It is more common in women than in men, and it is more likely to occur in younger people than other types of lung cancer.
Other risk factors include secondhand smoke. Exposure at work to asbestos, arsenic, chromium, beryllium, nickel, soot, or tar is a risk. So is radon in the home or workplace. Air pollution where you live and a family history of lung cancer raise the risk too.
Having risk factors does not necessarily mean you will get lung cancer. Many people with risk factors never develop it.
How doctors diagnose it
Your doctor will ask about your health and family history and do a physical exam. Imaging tests such as a chest x-ray or CT scan, which is a series of detailed pictures, may be ordered.
If lung cancer is suspected, you will have a biopsy, which is the removal of a small piece of tissue to check for cancer. Molecular tests on the tissue check for certain gene or chromosome changes that occur in non-small cell lung cancer.
Staging is the process used to find out if cancer cells have spread within and around the lung.
Treatment
You and your cancer care team will work together to decide your treatment plan, which may include more than one type of treatment. Many factors are considered, such as the stage of the cancer, your overall health, and your preferences. Types of treatment include:
- Surgery can remove the tumor and some nearby tissue, a whole lobe, or section, of the lung, or one whole lung.
- Radiation therapy, which uses strong x-rays or other radiation to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing.
- Chemotherapy, which uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells.
- Targeted therapy, which uses drugs or other substances to find and attack certain cancer cells.
- Immunotherapy, which helps a person's immune system fight cancer.
Treatment for non-small cell lung cancer may cause side effects. Talking with your cancer care team before treatment begins about what to expect will be helpful.
Follow-up tests are done as you go through treatment, and from time to time after treatment ends.
When to see a doctor
Check with your doctor if you have chest discomfort or pain, a cough that does not go away or gets worse over time, trouble breathing, wheezing, or blood in the mucus you cough up.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have severe trouble breathing, chest pain, or you cough up blood.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. A direct primary care doctor can examine you, order first tests such as a chest x-ray, and coordinate your care with a lung or cancer specialist.
Common questions
Is lung adenocarcinoma the same as lung cancer?
It is one type of lung cancer. It is a subtype of non-small cell lung cancer.
Can nonsmokers get lung adenocarcinoma?
Yes. Lung adenocarcinoma is also the most common type of lung cancer seen in people who do not smoke.
Is lung adenocarcinoma more common in women?
Yes, it is more common in women than in men.
How is lung adenocarcinoma diagnosed?
It is diagnosed with a biopsy. If lung cancer is suspected, you will have a biopsy.
Does the stage of the cancer change treatment?
Yes. The prognosis, which is the chance of recovery, and treatment options depend on several factors. One factor is the stage of the cancer, which is the size of the tumor and whether it has spread.
Sources
- National Cancer Institute - Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment
- American Cancer Society - What Is Lung Cancer?
- MedlinePlus - Lung Cancer
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
