Urgent care vs. the ER: How to know where to go
June 11, 2026
Visit the ER for serious illness or injuries when you need emergency care. Visit urgent care for minor injuries or illnesses that need same-day care.
Chest and lung cancer care in Chicagoland
Oncologists and care teams at Ascension Illinois Cancer Center deliver compassionate, personalized lung cancer care.
Chest and lung cancer care in Chicagoland
Oncologists and care teams at Ascension Illinois deliver compassionate, personalized cancer care
About lung cancer at Ascension Illinois
At Ascension Illinois in Chicagoland, our lung cancer specialists are part of a national team of doctors who share best practices and advanced treatment options for lung and chest cancers, as well as benign lung nodules — bringing advanced oncology care close to home. Our interventional pulmonology team also collaborates with University of Illinois at Chicago and Loyola University Medical Center to support advanced diagnosis and treatment.
When you choose us, you receive care from a multidisciplinary team focused on early detection and personalized treatment. Your care team may include board-certified, fellowship-trained thoracic surgeons, pulmonary medicine specialists, radiologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, a care navigator, and oncology nurses, dietitians and other specialists.
Together, your care team delivers a personalized care plan from diagnosis through survivorship.
When you’re going through lung cancer, we’re by your side
Cancer is personal, and so is the care we provide. You’ll have face-to-face visits with your doctor and an entire team dedicated to your care — connecting the dots for you. Your doctor and care team will take the time to answer all your questions — big and small. By getting to know you and working together, you get a care plan that’s customized to your needs. And with a plan, comes hope. Our goal is to help you recover faster so you can get back to your everyday life
Along the way, your care may include imaging, lab tests, pharmacy support, respiratory therapy, physical therapy or other specialists — you do not have to navigate your care alone. Upon your cancer diagnosis or when you come to us during your care, you’re paired with a cancer care navigator.
Stay connected with your lung cancer care team
Your care team will help you schedule appointments, connect you with other services and answer your questions. When you have a concern or feel unsure, don’t hesitate to talk with your care team and ask questions.
Ask about virtual care (telehealth or online) appointments as part of your ongoing care. You can have these virtual visits from the comfort of your home. You'll be able to talk with your doctor one-on-one via video from your phone or computer and get the care that's right for you.
Types of lung cancer
There are several types of lung cancer, and they all have different treatment plans. Our specialists in Chicago treat many types of lung and chest cancers, including:
- Esophageal cancer
- Large cell lung cancer
- Lung carcinoid tumor
- Mesothelioma, a cancer that forms in the tissue that lines many internal organs
- Metastatic lung cancer
- Non-cancerous lung nodules
- Non-small cell lung cancer
- Small cell lung cancer
- Tracheal cancer
Lung screenings help detect cancer early
The first step is to find out if a low-dose CT lung screening is right for you. Talk with your doctor if you need help to stop smoking — they can help. We recommend annual low-dose CT screenings for:
- Smokers without symptoms and former smokers aged 50 to 80 who have smoked 20 pack-years or more (this means one pack a day for 20 years, or two packs a day for 10 years, etc.) and either continue to smoke or have quit within the past 15 years
- Smokers without symptoms and former smokers outside of the smoking and age criteria listed above but are deemed high risk of having/developing lung cancer (risk factors can include family history of lung cancer, emphysema, pulmonary fibrosis, and exposure to certain substances)
How we diagnose lung cancer
Your care team at Ascension Illinois focuses on identifying whether the tumor is noninvasive or invasive, understanding where the tumor began and whether the cancer has spread. We use advanced molecular studies to recognize lung cancer subtypes to create a care plan for your type of cancer.
To diagnose lung cancer, your doctor may recommend testing, such as:
Chest X-rays use low doses of radiation to make images of your tissues, bones and organs, and are used to look for a tumor or cancer.
CT scans use X-rays and a computer to create 3D images of your body. A CT scan can show any part of your body, including bones, muscles, fat, blood vessels and organs.
Blood tests can provide your doctor with a lot of information. They can detect if certain elements in your blood are within a normal range. But in many cases, blood tests are only part of the information your doctor needs to diagnose a health condition. Blood tests help provide information to support a diagnosis but are typically used alongside other tests.
If you’re considered high-risk or have a family history of cancer, your doctor may recommend cancer genetic screening, testing and counseling to help better understand your risk for developing cancer.
At Ascension Illinois, we offer a comprehensive approach to identifying and monitoring an individual’s risk for developing lung cancer and other chest cancers.
Lung biopsy tests evaluate lung cells and help your doctor diagnose your condition and determine the stage of cancer.
We offer imaging locations close to home — from dedicated low-dose CT lung screening to minimally invasive, image-guided lung biopsy.
An MRI uses a strong magnet, radio waves and a computer to make detailed images of organs and other structures inside your body. MRIs are often used to look at the heart, brain, liver, pancreas, male and female reproductive organs, and other soft tissues. MRI can show even small changes in tissues.
This is a nuclear scan that helps your doctor understand the flow of blood through the coronary arteries to the heart muscle.
How we treat lung cancer
Your treatment for chest and lung cancer may include medication, therapy or surgery.
Chemotherapy (or chemo) uses medications that travel through the bloodstream to destroy cancer cells.
If you want to learn more about other possible cancer care options, talk to your doctor. You may want to ask whether cancer clinical trials are the right option for you.
Uses imaging guidance to perform minimally invasive procedures by opening blocked blood vessels to deliver targeted medication therapies for diagnosis and treatment.
Highly trained physical therapists deliver therapy to help manage lymphedema symptoms, such as swelling and pain
Uses high-energy beams (called photons) or charged particles to destroy cancer cells or stop them from growing
Support programs and resources: Your cancer care team provides support from nutrition education and counseling to cancer support groups, yoga and spiritual care. At Ascension Illinois sites of care, our healing gardens and chapels are always open to patients and your loved ones. We offer supportive care and activities for the whole you. For more information, call 844-952-HOPE (4673) for Northwest suburbs and (773) 665-9920 for Chicago.
Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that boosts your body’s immune system to help it recognize and attack cancer cells. It uses substances that are either made in the body or in a lab to shrink tumors or slow tumor growth.
Our surgeons at Ascension Illinois specialize in video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) using smaller, more precise incisions to remove lung nodules and tumors.
Get a second opinion on your cancer diagnosis or care plan
When you are facing a new cancer diagnosis or are deciding on a surgical or therapeutic treatment plan, there’s a lot to think about. Our chest and lung cancer specialists in Chicagoland can provide a second opinion, based on our experience and as part of a national team.
Before your appointment, check with your insurance company to find out if a second opinion is covered. We can request your medical records on your behalf, so they can be shared with your care team before your arrival.
Frequently asked questions about our chest and lung cancer services
Your doctor and care team get to know you well, and you’ll receive care for the whole person — from physical health and well-being to mental and emotional health. At Ascension Illinois Cancer Center, we provide innovative medication treatments, the latest surgical technologies and techniques, high-tech radiation facilities and support services. When you choose Ascension Illinois, you get a national team of experienced cancer specialists, sharing best practices and the latest in cancer care knowledge and research.
We provide many primary and advanced treatments for lung cancer, esophageal cancer and chest cancers, including:
- Chemotherapy for small cell lung cancer
- ION robotic bronchoscopy for staging and lung cancer management
- Immunotherapy and targeted genomic drug therapy
- Lung resection surgery
- Radiation therapy — Stereotactic ablative radiation therapy and abstract radiation therapy
- Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS)
Your care team focuses on identifying if the tumor is non-invasive or invasive and to understand where the tumor began and whether or not the cancer has spread. Diagnostic blood testing, chest imaging and a biopsy of lung cells help your doctor diagnose your condition and stage even the most rare cancers. And we use advanced molecular studies to recognize lung cancer subtypes to create a care plan for your type of cancer.
We can connect you with resources and programs that may be able to help you and your family with options for financial assistance. Our financial counseling team is here to listen to your concerns and work with you to help find options that meet your needs. Your cancer care team can connect you to a financial counselor.
At Ascension Illinois cancer center and clinics, we offer convenient parking. Talk to your care team if you have transportation needs.
Surgical oncologists and anesthesiologists provide enhanced recovery pathways as part of your surgical care plan. They are an important part of our cancer treatment programs. Each pathway is personalized for different types of cancer treatment, to help speed up your recovery after surgery. Your care team uses these protocols to help you prepare for what to expect before, during and after surgery.
This service requires a referral
To learn how to get a referral, call:
- Ascension Saint Joseph Chicago — UChicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center: 773-665-9920
- Ascension Alexian Brothers and Ascension Saint Alexius— Cancer Center: 844-952-HOPE (4673)
If your doctor is referring you, they can use these same phone numbers to get everything set up.
Ascension Saint Alexius Cancer Care - Hoffman Estates
1555 North Barrington Rd Building 3, Ste. 1400
Hoffman Estates, IL 60169
Ascension Alexian Brothers - Cancer Care Elk Grove
800 Biesterfield Road Bldg 5, #120
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
800 Biesterfield Road Bldg 5, #120
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
Ascension Saint Joseph Chicago - UChicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center
2845 North Sheridan Rd #1300
Chicago, IL 60657
If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, go directly to the ER or call 911.
All registered marks are property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.
Stories you'll love
After decades of knee pain, a left knee replacement at Ascension Saint Alexius in Hoffman Estates helped a retired barber get back to golf with care from orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Paul S. Nourbash.
4 ways to better manage your winter blues
February 18, 2026
Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital Behavioral Health therapist, Kelly Hayden, shares four ways you can overcome seasonal blues this winter.
Winter heart health tips from Ascension Illinois cardiologist
February 4, 2026
Ascension Illinois cardiologist Dr. Andrei Pop shares how harsh winter weather affects the heart, and what you can do to protect yourself.
Kelly Hayden, MA, LCP, NCC, behavioral health therapist at Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital shares ways first responders can manage the stress of the holidays.
If incidents occur this Fourth of July, knowing where and when to get immediate and emergency care is important.
Four summer activities that often lead to injuries
June 23, 2025
Ascension urgent care and orthopedic teams are here to help you manage your summer injury.
Salahuddin Syed, MD, psychiatrist at Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, treats patients with advanced depression with electroconvulsive therapy.
Creating community can help improve mental wellbeing
April 17, 2025
Sarah Briley, EdD, LCPC, CADC, service line director for adult services at Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital, shares five ways being in community with others can benefit your mental health.
Gastroenterologist, Bipan Chand, MD, at Ascension Illinois, helps man recover from cancer for the second time by using a robotic colon resection.
Bipan Chand, MD, a gastroenterologist at Ascension Illinois in Chicago, performed a robotic colon resection to treat diverticulitis, a colon disease.
Neurosurgeon at Ascension Illinois performs life saving craniectomy on a young stroke survivor.
Breast cancer at a young age didn’t defer this Wheeling woman’s dream trip to Antarctica thanks to the Ascension Alexian Brothers care team.
A Rockford, IL woman lost 111 pounds at the age of 24 after having gastric bypass surgery at Ascension Alexian Brothers.
Gastric sleeve surgery at Ascension Alexian Brothers helped this Elk Grove Village man lose 285 pounds and gain a family.
One-Pound Uterine Fibroid Removed from Chicago Woman
September 7, 2023
A long relationship of trust with her OB-GYN at Ascension Illinois led to the removal of a massive growth from her uterus.
Illinois woman doesn’t shy away from incontinence care
September 5, 2023
This Illinois woman was tired of dealing with incontinence, so she found care at Ascension Saint Alexius in Hoffman Estates, IL.
An Ascension Saint Alexius pain specialist got this student athlete back on her feet. Now she’s helping others recognize the symptoms of CRPS.
How to Live Longer and Better with Heart Failure
August 18, 2023
On this Healthcast episode, Ascension Illinois cardiologist Baqir Lakhani walks you through heart failure symptoms and the latest treatment options.
Heart Failure Survivor Prepares to Climb Mt. Fuji
April 27, 2023
Matt is doing more than surviving. He’s thriving thanks to his indomitable spirit, his Illinois care team and heart pump implant technology.
After a fall almost caused her to give up on music, Jewel returned to her passion with help from a caring pain management specialist.
Three ways to stop overthinking and start living
February 27, 2023
A Chicago-based anxiety expert and clinical director at Ascension Illinois, Katie Torres shares ways to decrease overthinking with three exercises you can do right now.