What is Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer?

Lung cancers can be divided into two types: small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. The cancer cells of each type grow and spread in different ways, and they are treated differently. Non-small cell lung cancer is usually associated with pri

National Cancer Institute

The main kinds of non-small cell lung cancer are named for the type of cells found in the cancer: squamous cell carcinoma (also called epidermoid carcinoma), adenocarcinoma, large cell carcinoma, adenosquamous carcinoma and undifferentiated carcinoma.

Non-small cell lung cancer is a common disease. It is usually treated by surgery (taking out the cancer in an operation) or radiation therapy (using high-dose x-rays to kill cancer cells). However, chemotherapy may be used in some patients.

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The prognosis (chance of recovery) and choice of treatment depend on the stage of the cancer (whether it is just in the lung or has spread to other places), tumor size, the type of lung cancer, whether there are symptoms and the patient's general health.

Stages of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Once lung cancer has been found (diagnosis), more tests will be done to find out if the cancer has spread from the lung to other parts of the body (staging). A doctor needs to know the stage to plan treatment. The following stages are used for non-small cell lung cancer:

Occult stage
Cancer cells are found in sputum, but no tumor can be found in the lung.

Stage 0
Cancer is only found in a local area and only in a few layers of cells. It has not grown through the top lining of the lung. Another term for this type of lung cancer is carcinoma in situ.

Stage I
The cancer is only in the lung, and normal tissue is around it.

Stage II
Cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes.

Stage III
Cancer has spread to the chest wall or diaphragm near the lung; or the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes in the area that separates the two lungs (mediastinum); or to the lymph nodes on the other side of the chest or in the neck. Stage III is further divided into stage IIIA (usually can be operated on) and stage IIIB (usually cannot be operated on).

Stage IV
Cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

Recurrent
Cancer has come back (recurred) after previous treatment.