Lung Cancer - An Overview

In this article series, we take a look at some of the basic facts and information about lung cancer ...

Types of Lung Cancer

There are two main types of lung cancer:

• Small cell lung cancer (SCLC)
• Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Small Cell Lung Cancer

There are three types of small cell lung cancer. These three types include lots of different types of cells. The cancer cells of each of these grow and multiply in different ways.

The types of small cell lung cancer are named after the different types of cells found in the tumour and how they look when examined under a microscope:

• Mixed small cell/large cell carcinoma.
• Combined small cell carcinoma.

Small cell lung cancer is occasionally called oat cell cancer and is less widespread than non-small cell lung cancer. SCLC can spread itself widely throughout the body. This means management of the illness has to include drugs to kill the widespread disease. Small cell carcinoma creates its own hormones, which then can alter body chemistry.

Although each cell is small, they multiply quickly, forming large tumours, and spreading to lymph nodes and other organs such as the bones, brain, adrenal glands, and liver. This type of cancer frequently starts in the bronchi towards the centre of the lungs.

Small cell lung cancer is nearly always caused by smoking. It is very unusual for someone who has never smoked to have small cell lung cancer.

Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Nonsmall cell lung cancer is more widespread than small cell lung cancer, and generally it grows and spreads more gradually. The remaining lung cancers are all non-small cell (NSCLC).

There are three sub-types of NSCLC. The cells in these sub-types fluctuate in size, shape, and chemical make-up.

Squamous cell carcinoma: About 25% - 30% of all lung cancers are Squamous cell carcinomas. They are linked with a history of smoking and tend to be found centrally, near a bronchus.

Squamous cell carcinoma generally starts in the bronchi and doesn't usually spread as rapidly as do other lung cancers

Adenocarcinoma: This type of cancer accounts for about 40% of lung cancers and is typically found in the outer region of the lung. Adenocarcinoma is more commonly found in women than in men.

Large-cell undifferentiated carcinoma: This kind of cancer accounts for about 10% - 15% of reported lung cancers. It appears in any part of the lung and tends to grow and spread quickly throughout the body ensuing in a poor prediction of recovery.

Large cell carcinoma is any lung tumor that cannot be classified.

The article series "Lung Cancer - An Overview" continues on the next page ...

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