Lung Cancer Types

Conditions & Diseases: Cancers

Lung Cancer Types

Lung cancer can develop in two different types of cells: small cell and non-small cell. According to this criteria, there are two types of lung cancer:

Small cell carcinomas, also called oat cell cancer, is a less common type of lung cancer that usually develops in the central area of the lung. Unfortunately, it grows fast and is more likely to spread to other organs.

Non-small cell carcinomas is the most common type of lung cancer which grows and spreads more slowly. There are three sub-types of non-small cell carcinomas:

Squamous cell carcinoma, also called epidermoid carcinoma, is a form of lung cancer that develops in the epithelial cells of the lungs or bronchi.
Adenocarcinoma is a form of lung cancer that occurs in the glandular tissue of the lungs.
Large cell carcinoma, also called bronchoalveolar carcinoma, is a form of lung cancer that develops in the smaller bronchi or in scarred tissue around the outer edges of the lungs.

Article by Alina Morrow, MS
Medical Writer
OmniMedicalSearch.com