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General Information About Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
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Non-small cell lung cancer is a disease in which malignant
(cancer) cells form in the tissues of the lung.
The lungs are a pair of cone-shaped breathing organs that are found
within the chest. The lungs bring oxygen into the body and take out carbon
dioxide, which is a waste product of the body’s cells. Each
lung has sections called lobes. The left lung has 2
lobes. The right lung, which is
slightly larger, has 3 lobes. A thin membrane called the
pleura surrounds the lungs. Two
tubes called bronchi lead from the
trachea (windpipe) to the right and
left lungs. The bronchi are sometimes also involved in lung cancer. Tiny air sacs called alveoli and small tubes called
bronchioles make up the inside of
the lungs.
There are 2 types of lung cancer: non-small cell lung cancer and
small cell lung cancer. (Refer to the
PDQ summary on Small Cell Lung Cancer
Treatment for more information.)
There are 5 types of non-small cell lung cancer.
The 5 types of non-small cell lung cancer have different kinds of cancer cells. The cancer
cells of each type grow and spread in different ways. The types of non-small
cell lung cancer are named for the kinds of cells found in the cancer and how
the cells look when viewed under a microscope:
- Squamous cell
carcinoma: Cancer that begins in squamous cells, which are thin,
flat cells that look like fish scales. This is also called epidermoid
carcinoma.
- Adenocarcinoma:
Cancer that begins in cells that have glandular (secretory) properties.
- Large cell
carcinoma: Cancer in which the cells are large and look abnormal
when viewed under a microscope.
- Adenosquamous carcinoma: Cancer that begins in cells that
look flattened when viewed under a microscope. These cells also have glandular
(secretory) properties.
- Undifferentiated carcinoma: Cancer cells that do not look
like normal cells and multiply uncontrollably.
Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.
The prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options depend on the following: - The stage of the cancer (whether it is
in the lung only or has spread to other places in the body).
- The tumor size.
- The type of lung
cancer.
- Whether there are symptoms.
- The patient’s general health.
For most patients with non-small cell lung cancer, current
treatments do not cure the cancer.
If lung cancer is found, participation in one of the many clinical
trials being done to improve treatment should be considered. Clinical trials
are taking place in most parts of the country for patients with all stages of
non-small cell lung cancer. Information about ongoing clinical trials is
available from the NCI Cancer.gov Web site.
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