| Lung cancer is the result of malignant cells forming in | | | | diagnosed lung cancers. There are three main types |
| the tissues of the lung, usually in the cells lining the air | | | | of non-small cell lung cancer, generally characterized |
| passages. The cells in our bodies are constantly | | | | by the size, shape, and chemical composition of the |
| dividing and reproducing. Usually, there's an orderly | | | | cells that form the cancer: |
| pattern to this reproduction as cells develop and | | | | Squamous Cell Carcinoma (also referred to as |
| specialize to meet particular needs. Occasionally, | | | | Epidermoid Carcinoma): accounts for around 25% - |
| however, a cell becomes damaged. There's a | | | | 30% of all lung cancers, and is associated with a |
| mutation in its DNA, and rather than maturing and | | | | history of smoking. This cancer is nearly always |
| dying as is normal, it continues to reproduce | | | | found in the central chest area, near the bronchus. |
| unchecked. In essence, this is cancer - uncontrolled | | | | Adenocarcinoma (also referred to as |
| reproduction and growth of abnormal cells in the | | | | Bronchioloalveolar Carcinoma): accounts for around |
| body. | | | | 40% of all lung cancers, and is found in the external |
| Most lung cancers are believed to start in the | | | | region of the lung. Treatment for this form of lung |
| epithelial lining of the lungs - the linings of the large | | | | cancer often leads to a more successful outcome |
| and small airways that perform the task of | | | | than that of other lung cancers. |
| extracting oxygen from the air. Because of this, lung | | | | Large-Cell Undifferentiated Carcinoma: accounting for |
| cancer is sometimes called bronchogenic carcinoma - | | | | only 10% - 15% of lung cancers, this form may show |
| cancer arising from the bronchia. A smaller | | | | up in any area of the lung. It tends to spread quickly, |
| percentage of lung cancers begin in the pleura - the | | | | and often results in a poor prognosis. |
| thin tissue sac that surrounds the lungs. These | | | | It's also possible for lung cancer to be a combination |
| cancers are called mesothelioma. The most common | | | | of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer types. |
| form of mesothelioma is linked to asbestos exposure. | | | | There are other, less common types of lung cancer. |
| Cancer of the lungs is one of the deadliest forms of | | | | For instance, bronchial carcinoids are small tumors |
| cancer. While it may take a period of years to | | | | often found in people under 40 years of age. They |
| develop, the cancer often goes undetected until late | | | | tend to grow slowly, and be amenable to treatment. |
| in the process. In addition, it tends to metastasize | | | | Carcinoid tumors account for approximately 5% of |
| (migrate to other parts of the body) early, which | | | | lung tumors. Some are non-cancerous. The others are |
| leaves fewer opportunities to fight the mutated cells | | | | generally slow-growing and can be successfully |
| with surgery or radiation. Once the lung cancer does | | | | treated with surgery. |
| metastasize, it quickly spreads to the most vulnerable | | | | Finally, some cancers discovered in the lungs aren't |
| and important organs of the body, particularly the | | | | lung cancers at all. Since the lungs are prone to |
| adrenal glands, the liver, the brain and the bones. | | | | metastatic cancers from other sites, it's not |
| There are two primary forms of lung cancer - Small | | | | uncommon for tumors from other primary cancers to |
| Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) and Non-Small Cell Lung | | | | find their way to the lungs. When this occurs, the |
| Cancer (NSCLC). Small Cell Lung Cancer is less | | | | tumors are often discovered in the peripheral tissues |
| common, though far more deadly. It's directly linked | | | | of the lungs rather than in the central tissues. |
| to cigarette smoking - less than 1% of SCLC is | | | | Please note that the information provided in this |
| diagnosed in non-smokers. It's also extremely | | | | article is for information purposes only. It should not |
| aggressive and fast-moving, metastasizing rapidly to | | | | be used during a medical emergency or for the |
| other organs, and often undiscovered until it's already | | | | diagnosis or treatment of lung cancer. Such situations |
| widespread. | | | | should always involve the expertise of a physician or |
| Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, on the other hand, is far | | | | health care provider. |
| more common, accounting for nearly 80% of all | | | | |