Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer. It usually grows and spreads more slowly than small cell lung cancer.
There are three forms of NSCLC:
Adenocarcinomas are often found in an outer area of the lung.
Squamous cell carcinomas are usually found in the center of the lung by an air tube (bronchus).
Large cell carcinomas can occur in any part of the lung. They tend to grow and spread faster than the other two types.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Smoking causes most cases of lung cancer. Being around the smoke from others (secondhand smoke) also raises your risk for lung cancer. However, people who do not smoke and have never smoked have become sick with lung cancer.
A review of decades of research has recently shown that smoking marijuana may help cancer cells grow, but there is no direct link between the drug and lung cancer.
High levels of air pollution, working with or near cancer-causing chemicals or materials (such as asbestos), and drinking water containing high levels of arsenic can increase your risk for lung cancer. Radiation therapy to the lungs can also increase the risk.
Symptoms
Early lung cancer may not cause any symptoms. Symptoms you should watch for include:
Lung cancer - small cell (18 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a fast-growing type of lung cancer. It tends to spread much more quickly than non-small cell lung cancer. There are three different types of small cell lung cancer: Small cell carcinoma (oat cell cancer; Mixed small cell/large cell carcinoma; Combined small cell carcinoma. Most small cell lung cancers are the oat cell type. Reviewer: Rita Nanda, M.D., Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 07/31/2006
Mesothelioma (malignant) (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Malignant mesothelioma is a cancerous tumor of the pleura (lining of the lung and chest cavity) or peritoneum (lining of the abdomen) that is almost always caused by sustained exposure to asbestos. Reviewer: Allen J. Blaivas, DO, Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Veteran Affairs, VA New Jersey Health Care System, East Orange, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 08/03/2007
Metastasis (4 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Metastasis is the movement or spreading of cancer cells from one organ or tissue to another. Cancer cells usually spread through the bloodstream or the lymph system. Reviewer: William Matsui, MD, Assistant Professor of Oncology, Division of Hematologic Malignancies, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 10/30/2006
Metastatic cancer to the lung (12 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Metastatic lung cancer is cancer that starts somewhere else in the body and spreads to the lungs. See also: Lung cancer Reviewer: Rita Nanda, M.D., Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 09/11/2006
Metastatic pleural tumor (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Metastatic pleural tumors are a type of cancer that has spread from another organ to the space surrounding the lungs. Reviewer: Rita Nanda, M.D., Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 09/11/2006
Lung needle biopsy (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
A lung needle biopsy is a method to remove a piece of lung tissue for examination. Reviewer: David A. Kaufman, M.D., Assistant Professor, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 11/13/2006
Open lung biopsy (2 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
An open lung biopsy is surgery to remove a small piece of tissue from the lung. The sample is then examined for cancer, infection, or lung disease. Reviewer: J.A. Lee, M.D., Division of Surgery, UCSF, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 10/16/2006
Asbestosis (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Asbestosis is a respiratory disease caused by inhaling asbestos fibers. Reviewer: David A. Kaufman, M.D., Assistant Professor, Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 03/01/2007
Smoking hazards (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information) Reviewer: David A. Kaufman, M.D., Assistant Professor, Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 03/01/2007
Diet - cancer treatment(Doctor-Reviewed information)
People with cancer need special nutritional planning and management. Reviewer: Cynthia Dennison Haines, MD, family physician specializing in nutrition, fitness, and preventive health, St. John's Mercy Medical Center, St. Louis, MO, and Assistant Clinical Professor, St. Louis University's School of Medicine, Department of Community and Family Medicine.Date: 08/06/2007
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