Types of Lung Cancer

There are a number of different types of lung cancer. The two most common are called:

  • Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which is the most common type (around 75% of cases)
  • Small cell lung cancer (SCLC)

These two types of lung cancer respond differently to different treatments, so the best treatment approach for you will depend on your type of lung cancer.

Non-small cell lung cancer

There are several different types of non-small cell lung cancer depending on the type of abnormal cell:

  • Adenocarcinoma – is more common in women, particularly women smokers, and has a tendency to produce clumps of mucus/sputum in the smaller airways.
  • Squamous carcinoma (also known as epidermoid carcinoma) – occurs most frequently in men and older people of both sexes but it is rare in non-smokers. It appears as an irregular growth of pearl-like cells with a firm texture and is more common in the larger central airways than in the outer lung. It may grow large enough to block the air travelling to a part of the lung causing it to collapse. This type of lung cancer is the most commonly removed by surgery.

Small Cell Lung Cancer

This is caused by small round cells that form fleshy lumps, usually in the larger airways and is very rare in non-smokers. This type of lung cancer cell divides and grows very quickly and has often spread to the lymph nodes and/or other organs in the body by the time it is diagnosed.

It is known to be more responsive to chemotherapy and radiotherapy than non-small cell lung cancers and may reoccur. You will attend regular check-ups after treatment is complete to ensure any reoccurrence is spotted quickly.

Other types of lung cancer

  • Mesothelioma – is closely associated with a history of asbestos exposure usually either through working directly in the asbestos industry or working with asbestos products in the building trade. Generally, it affects older males and may take 35-40 years from the date of first exposure for the cancer to develop. This cancer cell type is usually found in the lining of the lungs and has a habit of producing fluid that may require draining from time to time to improve breathing.
  • Carcinoid tumour – is a rare and benign tumour disease of the lung (1-2% of all lung cancers) This lung growth affects the organs and glands which produce many of the hormones (neuroendocrine) e.g. thyroid gland. It is more common in a younger age group and the majority of patients have no symptoms at diagnosis, however when symptoms do occur they can include flushing, diarrhoea, heart problems and wheezing. Surgery is usually curative but radiotherapy and chemotherapy can be used for controlling symptoms.

The diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer can be complicated. For country-specific information please follow your country’s link.

Staging

To determine the most appropriate treatment, cancers are ‘staged,’ which means classifying the severity of a patient’s disease.

Small cell lung cancer is classified as ‘limited’ (cancer only in one lung and in the lymph nodes in the same side) or ‘extensive’ (cancer has spread, either within the chest or elsewhere in the body).

Non-small cell lung cancer is staged as follows:

  • Stage I: Cancer is present only in one part of the lung
  • Stage II: Cancer has spread to the nearby lymph nodes or nearby tissues e.g. chest wall
  • Stage III: Cancer has spread more extensively within the chest and, generally to the major lymph nodes
  • Stage IV: Cancer has spread to other parts of the body, e.g. to the liver or bones