Lung Cancer

Introduction

Lung cancer is a surface lining (epithelial) tumor (neoplasm) of the lung. There are 2 major types of lung cancer: Small cell cancer (accounting for 15% of primary lung cancers) and non-small cell lung cancer (in the remaining 85%).

Small Cell Lung Cancer

Small cell cancer is a neuroendocrine tumor (this refers to the type of cell that a tumor grows from not the location) characterized by

Rapid growth,
Early metastasis (spread via lymphatic or blood vessels)
Overall poorer chance for cure when compared to non-small cell lung cancer.

Early stage small cell cancer can be treated by surgery in less than 10% of patients with this disease.

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

The category of non-small cell lung cancer is often divided into four separate cell types (squamous cell, adenocarcinoma, true bronchioloalveolar, and large cell):

Squamous cell cancer is most often found in the center of the lung or bronchial tree. This type of cancer is fairly slow growing and often follows a stepwise order, first to lymph nodes around the lung and then to other, more distant, organs in the body. It occurs more commonly in men and heavy smokers and is the cell type most likely to present with hemoptysis (coughing up blood).
Adenocarcinoma is more commonly found on the outer part of the lung or bronchial tree, occurs more frequently in women and non-smokers, and has a less predictable pattern of growth. Bronchioloalveolar cell cancer and large cell cancer are considered types of adenocarcinoma of the lung.
True bronchioloalveolar cell cancer grows along the existing lung makeup without invasion. It may present as a single nodule, multiple nodules, or as a diffuse infiltrate (haziness) resembling pneumonia on chest x-ray.
Large cell carcinoma often grows and spreads quickly, frequently with bizarre giant cells. Many large cell cancers will have neuroendocrine (interactions between the endocrine system and the nervous system) features.

Among the various cell types of non-small cell cancer, patient survival is based on the stage of the disease at presentation rather than on the cell type or degree to which the cells of the tumor are abnormal.

For more information, visit these articles:

Symptoms of Lung Cancer
Prevention of Lung Cancer
Glossary of Lung Cancer Terms

The information in this article is based on "LUNG CANCER: Battling the Number 1 Cancer Killer," presented on October 7, 2003 at the University of Cincinnati Mini Medical College, and was adapted for use on NetWellness with permission, 2004.

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Last Reviewed: Dec 06, 2006

John Howington, MD
Associate Professor of Surgery
Director
Division of Thoracic Surgery
Department of Surgery
College of Medicine
University of Cincinnati