What is squamous cell lung carcinoma?
Squamous cell lung carcinoma is a type of non-small cell lung cancer formed from reserve cells—round cells that replace injured or damaged cells in the lining of the bronchi, the lung’s major airways. Squamous cell tumors usually occur in the lung’s central portions or in one of the main airway branches. These tumors can form cavities if they grow to a large size. Making up between 25 and 40 percent of all lung cancers, squamous cell carcinoma can spread to bones, adrenal glands, liver, small intestine, or brain. The prognosis for an advanced stage of this type of lung cancer is not good. However, five-year survival rates can be as high as 35 to 40 percent for those who have localized lung cancer that is identified and removed in its early stages. These five-year survival rates approach 85 percent for patients under age 30. Who is most likely to have squamous cell lung carcinoma? This type of cancer is almost always caused by smoking. Secondary risk factors include age, family history,
