Lung Cancer
The two main types of lung cancer are:
- small cell lung cancer (SCLC)
- non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
About 15% of lung cancers (less than 1 in 5) are
small cell; the rest are non-small cell
Small Cell lung cancer
Small cell lung cancer is called this because when the cancer
cells are looked at under a microscope they are very small. It is
sometimes referred to as oat cell cancer.
Small cell lung cancer is usually caused by smoking, and it is
rare for someone who has never smoked to develop this type of lung
cancer. Small cell lung cancer is often fast-growing and can
spread quickly.
Non-small cell lung cancer
There are three main types of non-small cell lung cancer.
Sometimes it is not possible to tell which type someone
has. This is because when the cells are looked at under a
microscope, they are not developed enough or the biopsy doesn't
contain enough cells to diagnose the different types of
NSCLC.
- Squamous cell carcinoma- This develops in the cells that line
the airways. This type of lung cancer is often caused by
smoking.
- Adenocarcinoma - This is the most common subtype. This develops
from the cells that produce mucus in the lining of the airways.
This type of cancer is becoming more common.
- Large cell carcinoma -This gets its name from the large,
rounded cells that are seen when they are examined under a
microscope. It is sometimes known as undifferentiated
carcinoma
This is a cancer of the membrane that covers the surface of
the lungs and lines the inside of the chest. It often occurs in
people who have been exposed to asbestos.
Carcinoid
Carcinoids are rare tumours which tend to be slow growing. They
may not cause any symptoms for several years. Most of these tumours
occur in people over the age of 60.Carcinoid tumours are also
sometimes just called carcinoid. They are one type of tumour of the
neuroendocrine system.
Important links: Macmillan, Roy Castle, MESO UK, BBAFS.
Information about treatments
All patients with lung cancer can be helped and some can be
cured. The treatment recommended to you will depend on the type of
lung cancer you have and whether it is confined to the lung or has
spread elsewhere in the body.
Whatever treatment is discussed with you it is important that
you, your family or friends have all the information you require
and the opportunity to ask questions about it.
Please ask questions about other treatments if you want to. Your
consultant and nurse will be happy to discuss them with you.
The three main treatments for lung cancer are:
- Surgery- Some tumours are best treated by an operation to
remove them. Surgery is obviously a major undertaking and your
doctor will not advise this unless they feel that it is likely to
result in you being cured of your lung cancer. Unfortunately some
patients will not be fit enough for surgery or it may not be
possible to remove all of the cancer with an operation.
If surgery is possible it may be necessary to remove
just part of the lung or a whole lung. Even after removal of a
whole lung patients can have a good quality of life and are still
able to do many of the activities that they did before the surgery.
However, you should expect to get breathless more easily.
Please see
here for more information on lung cancer care.
- Radiotherapy- This is a type of x-ray treatment and is the most
commonly used treatment for lung cancer. The treatment is targeted
at where the cancer is. The number of treatments depends on your
individual case and your oncologist (cancer specialist) will
discuss this with you.
You should be offered the opportunity to meet the lung
specialist radiographer, who offers information and support to
patients having radiotherapy to their chest. They can also
co-ordinate courses of intensive radiotherapy.
- Chemotherapy- This is drug treatment and is given in injection
or tablet form. There are many different types and combinations of
chemotherapy. Your oncologist will advise you which is best for
you. Chemotherapy is a systemic treatment. This means it travels
all-round the body and if the cancer cells are sensitive to it, it
kills them wherever they are.
After treatment you will be seen regularly by the team who gave
it, lung oncologist. They will assess how effective it has been and
ensure any side effects have resolved. You will be supported by
your GP and other members of the community team. You can also
contact the lung cancer nurse specialist at any time. We will not
routinely call you but please call if you have questions or
concerns.
We may sometimes decide to observe you and treat you when you
have symptoms. This will be discussed with you at your appointments
with the team.
Palliative care
You may be referred to palliative care in the hospital or in the
community. Many patients have symptoms which can be difficult to
manage and advice from specialists who can help with symptom
control can be of benefit.
