What is small cell lung cancer?
worst prognosis. These cancers tend to grow rapidly and metastasize to other parts of the body early. Small cell lung cancer is most common in current or past smokers, but can also be caused by environmental risk factors such as exposure to radon and air pollution. SCLC is caused by an uncontrolled growth of cells on the surface of the lung’s breathing tubes (called bronchi). The cancer can spread easily because of the constant flow of fluids through the lungs. These fluids consist of blood and lymph (a protein-filled fluid from the lymphatic system). The fluids can carry cancer cells to lymph nodes, the heart, the other lung and to organs outside of the chest. Small cell lung cancers spread more commonly to the brain, liver, adrenal glands and bone. The lungs are a pair of sponge-like breathing organs that are found within the chest. The lungs bring oxygen into the body and take out carbon dioxide, which is a waste product of the body’s cells. Each lung has sections called lobes. The
