Non-small-cell lung cancer

There are two major types of lung cancer: small-cell-lung cancer and non-small-cell lung cancer.  85% to 90% of lung cancers are non-small-cell (NSCLC).

There are three types of NSCLC.  25% - 30% are squamous cell carcinomas linked to a history of smoking and which tend to be found centrally, near a bronchus.  40% are adenocarcinomas usually found in the outer region of lung.  People with a type of adenocarcinoma, known as bronchioloalveolar carcinoma tend, to have a better outlook or prognosis than those with other types of lung cancer. 10% to 15% are large-cell undifferentiated carcinomas which may appear in any part of the lung, and tend to grow and spread quickly resulting in a poor prognosis.

Smoking, particularly of cigarettes, is by far the main cause of lung cancer and almost 90% of lung cancer deaths are caused by smoking. Symptoms that suggest lung cancer include a shortness of breath, coughing up blood, chronic coughing, wheezing, chest pain or pain in the abdomen, weight loss, fatigue, loss of appetite, hoarse voice and difficulty in swallowing.

Treatment for non-small cell lung cancer