Lung Cancer - Non-Small Cell

The lung cancer is divided into two main types. These are non small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer. The non small cell lung cancer is further divided into several types according to the cell structure under the microscope. There are three main types of non small cell lung cancer - squamous cell carcinoma; large cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma.

Squamous cell carcinoma is also known as epidermoid carcinoma. Squamous cells look like thin flat cells under the microscope. Large cell carcinoma can begin from different types of the large cells.

Adenocarcinoma begins from the mucus secreting cells of the alveoli.

The other rare subtypes of non small cell lung carcinoma are carcinoid, pleomorphic and salivary gland carcinoma.

The most common risk factor of lung cancer is smoking persistent smoking increases the risk year by year. Cessation of smoking decreases the risk but risk is never completely gone. Other risk factors include exposure to air pollution, radiation therapy, asbestos, radon, chromium, arsenic, soot and tar.

Most of the times the lung cancer is asymptomatic that is without signs and symptoms and is found during the routine radiological examination. The main signs and symptoms include persistent cough, difficult breathing, hoarseness of voice, loss of appetite, loss of weight and tiredness. The tests which should be performed for diagnosis and staging of non small cell lung cancer include chest radiological examination, CT scanning, PET scanning for detection of malignant cells, sputum cytology, fine needle aspiration biopsy, bronchoscopy, thoracoscopy and thoracocentesis.

The features which affect the prognosis of the disease include general condition of the patient, type of the lung cancer and severity of the symptoms.

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