Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer - Introduction

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The course of this cancer varies widely. Most often, it develops slowly and causes few or no symptoms until it is far advanced. In some cases, however, it can be extremely aggressive and rapidly fatal. In 50% of cases in which this cancer spreads, it spreads only to the brain. It also can spread to the other lung, liver, adrenal glands, and bone.

Click the icon to see an image of adenocarcinoma.

Bronchoalveolar Lung Cancer. Bronchoalveolar lung cancer is actually a subtype of adenocarcinoma. It develops as a layer of column-like cells on the lung and spreads through the airways, causing great volumes of sputum. This cancer also is increasing in incidence.

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Large Cell Carcinoma. Large cell carcinoma, which makes up about 10 - 15% of lung cancers, includes cancers that cannot be identified under the microscope as squamous cell cancers or adenocarcinomas.

Click the icon to see an image of large cell carcinoma.

Small Cell Lung Cancer

Small cell lung cancer may, like squamous cells, originate from reserve cells or other cells in the epithelium. It causes 10 - 15% of all lung cancers. Without chemotherapy, it is very aggressive and usually rapidly fatal. It requires a different treatment approach from non-small cell lung cancer, so it is not discussed in this report.

Click the icon to see an image of small cell carcinoma.

Review Date: 07/01/2010
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).