There are several different types of lung cancer, all with different characteristics. Some are called small cell lung cancers, and the others are non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs). Within the non-small cell lung cancer classification, there are subclasses of different types of cancers. The American Cancer Society states that lung cancers can take years to develop, and they are often missed in their early stages, because when the cells have already formed, they don't immediately produce overt symptoms or large tumors. Although there are many different lung cancers, treatment options are often the same for each of them.
Small Cell Lung Cancer
In small cell lung cancer, the cancerous cells are almost completely made up of the nucleus, or the center, of the cell. According to the American Cancer Society, small cell carcinoma makes up 10 to 15 percent of all lung cancers. It usually starts in the center of the chest, in or near the bronchial tubes, and smoking is the main cause. The cells are small, but they spread quickly and form large tumors throughout the body. Because this cancer spreads so rapidly, the only treatment option is chemotherapy; surgery is rare. Small cell lung cancer is a classification by itself.
Adenocarcinoma
One type of NSCLC is adenocarcinoma. It is common, making up 40 percent of all lung cancers. It develops in the outer lining of the alveoli, and according to a report from the College of American Pathologists, it is slow to develop and spread. Lung adenocarcinoma is found in smokers and non-smokers. If the cancer is still confined to the lungs, then surgery is usually recommended. If it has spread beyond the lungs to other parts of the body, chemotherapy and radiation are often the recommended treatments.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Another NSCLC is squamous cell carcinoma. It tends to start in the middle area of the lungs and is often located near a bronchial airway. The National Cancer Institute explains that this type of lung cancer begins in the squamous cells, which are thin, flat cells that line the bronchial passageways. As with lung adenocarcinoma, the College of American Pathologists reports that if the squamous cell carcinoma is still contained within the lung, the treatment is usually surgery. If it has spread, chemotherapy and radiation will be the recommended treatment route.
Large Cell Carcinoma
According to Cancer Research UK, large cell lung cancer gets its name because the cells appear large when viewed under a microscope. The National Institutes of Health reports that this type of lung cancer can develop in any part of the lung, and it spreads quickly, just as small cell carcinoma does. Depending upon how much the cancer has spread, surgery may not be an option. Treatment usually involves chemotherapy and radiation.
