Lung Cancer Program

Lung cancer is divided into 2 main types: non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). These types grow and spread differently. They are often treated in different ways.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
About 85% to 90% of lung cancers are non-small cell. This cancer has 3 major types. They are grouped by the kind of lung cell the cancer started in and by how the cells look under a microscope. They have slight differences among them. But they tend to have a similar outlook (prognosis) and are generally treated the same way:

• Adenocarcinoma. This is the most common type of NSCLC. It's the most common type of lung cancer in nonsmokers and former or current smokers. It tends to grow in the outer edges of the lungs. It usually grows more slowly than other types of lung cancer. 

• Squamous cell carcinoma (epidermoid carcinoma). This type of NSCLC develops more often in smokers or former smokers than lifetime nonsmokers. These cancers tend to start in the middle part of the lungs near the main airways (the bronchi).

• Large cell carcinoma. This is the least common type of NSCLC. It tends to quickly grow and spread to other organs. This can make it harder to treat.

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC)
Only about 1 in 10 to 3 in 20 people with lung cancer have small cell lung cancer. It is also called oat cell cancer. It is almost only found in smokers. It grows and spreads more quickly than non-small cell lung cancer. It often spreads to other parts of the body at an early stage.

Lung cancer often doesn't cause symptoms in its early stages. This is when it's small and hasn't spread. In fact, many lung cancers don't cause symptoms until they've already spread. 

When lung cancer does cause symptoms, they’re often like those you might have anyway if you smoke. For example, some early symptoms of lung cancer include shortness of breath and coughing.

These are some of the more common symptoms of lung cancer:

• Cough that doesn’t go away or gets worse over time

• Chest pain, which might be worse when coughing or breathing in deeply

• Coughing up blood or rust-colored mucus

• Shortness of breath

• Hoarseness

• Wheezing

• Appetite loss

• Unexpected weight loss

• Feeling tired or weak

• Pneumonia or bronchitis occurring more than normal for you

Some symptoms can be caused by lung cancer spreading to other parts of the body:

• Trouble breathing that's getting worse

• Bone pain

• Belly or back pain

• Yellowing of skin and eyes (jaundice)

• Headache, seizures, or confusion

• Weakness or numbness in an arm or leg

• Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck

• Drooping eyelid

• Problems talking