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Introduction to Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer and accounts for about 80% of all U.S. lung cancer cases. The data are presented for NSCLC occurring in the U.S. Whereas the types of lung cancer do not differ, the relative percentages vary among different countries.
There are three subtypes of non-small cell lung cancer that can be differentiated on the basis of size, shape, and chemical composition of the cells:
Squamous Cell (epidermoid) Carcinoma
- accounts for about 30% of NSCLC cases
- usually located centrally in the chest near one of the bronchi
- usually occurs in smokers
Adenocarcinoma
- accounts for about 35% of cases of non-small cell lung cancer
- usually develops in the outer area of the lung and often presents as metastatic disease
- can occur in both smokers and non-smokers
Large Cell Carcinoma
- represents less than 10% of non-small cell lung cancer cases
- this is a very aggressive form of non-small cell lung cancer that grows and spreads rapidly and is usually associated with a poor prognosis (likelihood for recovery).
