cancer in a young person, and symptoms may be mistaken for other conditions such as asthma, infection, or anxiety.
Symptoms to Watch For
Lung cancer symptoms can be similar for both young and older patients and include cough that does not go away, trouble with breathing, chest pain, unexpected weight loss, feeling very tired, and coughing up blood. However, some people may not have any symptoms or may only have mild ones, making it harder to find the cancer early. If you have any of the symptoms listed, it is important to see a doctor, especially if symptoms do not go away. Finding lung cancer early can help doctors treat it more effectively.
Genetic Factors and Treatment
Younger patients with lung cancer often have specific variations in their cancer cells. These variations can happen during a person’ s life and may be treatable with targeted drugs, many of which can be taken by mouth. Doctors can find these variations through biomarker testing. Treatment for young-onset lung cancer depends on the type of lung cancer, stage( how far it has spread in the body), and whether the cancer cells have variations that can be treated with targeted drugs. Treatment options may include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy. Some medical centers offer clinical trials to test new treatments. Patients should talk to their doctors about all options, including clinical trials, to make the best choice for their care.
Support and Care
People with young-onset lung cancer may need ongoing care after their treatment, such as regular follow-ups to monitor their long-term health, support groups for emotional help, and resources for patients and their families.
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Article Information
Published Online: September 25, 2025. doi: 10.1001 / jamaoncol. 2025.3320
Conflict of Interest Disclosures: Dr Antonoff reported consulting for AstraZeneca, BMS, Merck, and Johnson & Johnson. Dr Singhi reported grants from Rexanna’ s Foundation for Fighting Lung Cancer and personal fees from AstraZeneca, Novocure, Amgen, Janssen, Regeneron, BMS, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Lilly, Caris, and Nuvation Bio. No other disclosures were reported.