Types of Lung Cancer

Lung cancer or bronchogenic arcinoma, a life threatening disease, is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in one or both of the lungs. While normal lung tissue cells reproduce and develop into healthy lung tissue, these abnormal cells reproduce rapidly and never grow into normal lung tissue. As a result, lump mass known as a tumor are formed, disrupting the lungs and making it difficult to function properly. Tumors can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Benign tumors may grow causing discomfort and bleeding, but they do not spread to other parts of the body and can be removed.

Malignant tumors grow aggressively, spread into other areas of the body and destroy normal tissue. The process of spreading the tumor is called metastasis (secondary tumors) and the areas of tumor growth at these distant sites are called metastases.

Usually lung cancer, develops within the wall or epithelium of the bronchial tree. But it can start anywhere in the lungs and affect any part of the respiratory system. Lung cancer mostly affect people between the ages of 55 and 65 and often takes many years to develop. Once it occurs, cancer cells can break away and may spread to the lymph nodes or other tissues in the chest, including the lung opposite to where it originated. It may also spread to other organs of the body, such as the bones, brain or liver.

Types of Lung Cancer

There are two major types of lung cancer. They are Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC) or oat cell cancer. The classification of the lung cancer is based upon the microscopic appearance (i.e. cell size) of the tumor cells. Each type of lung cancer grows and spreads in different ways, and is treated differently. If the cancer has features of both types, it is called mixed small cell/large cell cancer.

Non-small cell lung cancer is more common than SCLC and it generally grows and spreads more slowly. There are three main types of NSCLC. They are :
1. Squamous cell carcinoma or epidermoid carcinoma usually starts in the large bronchi and very often stays in the central chest area, without spreading, for longer periods of time than other lung cancers.
2. Adenocarcinoma are found along the outer or peripheral areas of the lungs and under the lining of the bronchi. Bronchioloalveolar carcinoma, a sub type of adenocarcinoma develops around scars on the outer edges of the lungs.
3. Large cell carcinoma, can be found in any part of the lung and tends to grow and spread quickly. It is also known as undifferentiated carcinomas.

SCLC are almost related with smoking and grows more quickly and form large tumors that can spread widely through the body. They often starts in the bronchi near the center of the chest.

Other tumors found in the lungs are :

Carcinoid tumor which arise from glands near the bronchi. This slow-growing tumor is usually cured by surgery.

Lymphoma or metastatic

Mesothelioma, a less common type is found in people who have been exposed to asbestos. It is a cancer of the membrane which covers the surface of the lungs and lines the inside of the chest. Exposure to asbestos particles in the air increases the risk of developing malignant mesothelioma.

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