Small cell lung cancer
About 10% to 15% of all lung cancers are small cell lung cancer (SCLC), named for the small cells that make up these cancers. Other names for SCLC are oat cell cancer, oat cell carcinoma, and small cell undifferentiated carcinoma.
SCLC often starts in the bronchi near the center of the chest, and it tends to spread widely through the body fairly early in the course of the disease (usually before it starts to cause symptoms). The cancer cells can multiply quickly, form large tumors, and spread to lymph nodes and other organs, such as the bones, brain, adrenal glands, and liver. This is important because it means that surgery is rarely an option (and never the only treatment given). Treatment must include drugs to try to kill the widespread disease.
Small cell lung cancer is almost always caused by smoking. It is very rare for someone who has never smoked to have small cell lung cancer.
Non-small cell lung cancer
About 85% to 90% of lung cancers are non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). There are 3 subtypes of NSCLC; adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma. The cells in these subtypes differ in size, shape, and chemical make-up when looked at under a microscope. They are discussed further in the separate document, Lung Cancer (Non-Small Cell).
Other types of lung cancer
Along with the 2 main types of lung cancer, other tumors can occur in the lungs.
Carcinoid tumors of the lung account for less than 5% of lung tumors. Most are slow-growing tumors that are called typical carcinoid tumors. They are generally cured by surgery. Some typical carcinoid tumors can spread, but they usually have a better prognosis (outlook) than small cell or non-small cell lung cancer. Atypical carcinoid tumors are less common. The outlook for these tumors is somewhere in between typical carcinoids and small cell lung cancer. For more information about typical and atypical carcinoid tumors, see the document, Lung Carcinoid Tumor.
There are other, even more rare, lung tumors such as adenoid cystic carcinomas, hamartomas, lymphomas, and sarcomas. These tumors are treated differently from the more common lung cancers.
Cancer that starts in other organs (such as the breast, pancreas, kidney, or skin) and spreads (metastasizes) to the lungs is not the same as lung cancer. For example, cancer that starts in the breast and spreads to the lungs is still breast cancer, not lung cancer. Treatment for metastatic cancer to the lungs depends on where it started (the primary cancer site). For information on these cancers, refer to our specific documents on each.
Read more : Lung Cancer Survival Rate
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