Classification of Lung Cancer

Lung cancer can be classified into two major categories depending on the degree of differentiation and morphological features: and they are respectively small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

1. Small cell lung cancer (SCLC):

SCLC, also known as small cell undifferentiated cancer, is notoriously malignant and accounts roughly for 10-15% of all lung cancer cases. It is relatively responsive to radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

2. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC):

NSCLS chiefly includes squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and large cell cancer.

1. Squamous cell carcinoma:

Squamous cell carcinoma, also known as squamous epithelioma, is commonly seen in older male smokers, which is the most common lung cancer type. Surgical removal is the most common treatment and the five-year survival rate is relatively high.

2. Adenocarcinoma:

Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of lung cancer in women which occurs at early age and mostly irrelevant to smoking. It can spread to blood vessels and lymph vessels at the early stage, causing liver, brain, and bones metastasis.

3. Large cell cancer:

Large cell cancer, also known as large cell undifferentiated cancer, is highly malignant epithelioma; it undergoes metastasis at the later stage compared to small cell cancer, so it is often treated with surgical removal.

Lung Cancer Treatment

1. Surgical treatment:

Small tumors or localized cancer can often be completely removed. Even when cancer cannot be completely eradicated, tumor removal usually eases symptoms.

2. Radiation therapy:

Radiation therapy employs high level radiation to kill cancer cells, but it also injures surrounding normal tissues.

3. Chemotherapy:

Chemotherapy is to utilize anticancer drugs to suppress cancer cells from growth and proliferation, and kill cancer cells. It is used as a clinical palliative treatment to ease late-stage lung cancer symptoms. It sometimes combines surgery and radiation therapy to prevent metastasis, to preclude tumor recurrence, and to increase long-term survival rate.

4. Bronchoscopic examination and treatment:

Bronchoscopic examination is used for lung cancer treatment via photodynamic, laser, and radiation therapy, and respiratory stent implantation. Those treatments are utilized to maintain the flow of the respiratory tract and ensure patients not to suffer from breathing difficulties caused by tumors obstructing the respiratory tract.

5. Targeted therapy:

Many types of target drugs are currently on the market or are undergoing clinical testing.