What are the different types of lung cancer and what treatments are used for each type?
There are several types of lung cancer. The two most common are small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. Malignant Mesothelioma and Carcinoid (Neuro-endocrine) tumors are also types of chest cancer that are less common. Each type is discussed briefly here. Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) About 20 percent of all lung cancers are this type. It is named for the size of the cancer cells. Although each of the cells is small, they can multiply quickly and form large tumors, which can spread to lymph nodes and other organs. Small cell lung cancers are almost always caused by smoking. Other names for SCLC are oat cell carcinoma and small cell undifferentiated carcinoma. Chemotherapy and radiation are the best treatments for this type of lung cancer. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) This type of cancer accounts accounts for almost 80 percent of lung cancers.
