Question by twiins: What is the correct definition of lung cancer?
I searched up the definition of lung cancer, and went to many websites and they all give me a different meaning of the word.
Best answer:
Answer by notalonewithcancer
Lung cancer is broken into 2 main catagories. Small Cell and Non Small Cell. Although it is uncommon, it is possible that characteristics of both types of lung cancer are present. If this happens, it is called a mixed small cell-large cell carcinoma. In addition to the two main types of lung cancer, other rare types such as sarcomas, and lymphomas can also occur.
Named for the small round cells that make up this cancer, small cell lung cancer accounts for a much smaller percentage of lung cancer cases than non-small cell lung cancer. SCLC is broken down into three different categories. Small cell carcinoma, mixed small call/large cell carcinoma and combined small cell carcinoma. Each of these different types of lung cancer grows and spread in a different way. Because the cancer cells multiply quickly, SCLC often spreads throughout the body, and although the main cause of SCLC is smoking, there are other risk factors as well, including exposure to second hand smoke, asbestos and radon.
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Non-small cell lung cancer or (NSCLC) is a much more common form of lung cancer. NSCLC can be broken down into three different types of lung cancer based on the size, shape and chemical composition of the cancer. These types are squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma and large-cell undifferentiated carcinoma. Squamous cell carcinoma is often associated with smoking and is generally found near a bronchus. Unlike squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma is usually found around the outer regions of the lung. Adenocarcinoma is the most common form of NSCLC – especially among women. Large-cell undifferentiated carcinoma can appear in any part of the lung, and often grows and spreads quickly.
The symptoms and risk factors linked to non-small cell carcinoma are very similar to those associated with small cell lung cancer, however, these different types of lung cancer are often treated differently.
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