There are three major types of NSCLC: adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma, which are diagnosed via a series of tests.
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer. It occurs when cancer cells multiply in your lungs and form tumors.
There are three major types of NSCLC:
- adenocarcinoma
- squamous cell carcinoma
- large cell carcinoma
This article will go over the differences and how they can affect treatment and outlook.
Adenocarcinoma
Adenocarcinoma is the
Adenocarcinoma primarily affects smokers and former smokers, but it can also affect people who have never smoked. It’s also the type of lung cancer most likely to occur in younger individuals.
Squamous cell carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma is a type of NSCLC that forms in the flat cells that line the insides of your airways. It often falls in the inner portion of the lungs. Smoking is the single biggest risk factor for squamous cell lung carcinomas.
Large cell carcinoma
Large cell carcinoma, sometimes known as undifferentiated carcinoma, grows and spreads quickly and can form in any portion of the lungs.
This type of NSCLC can be more difficult to treat than adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma. Large cell lung carcinomas are also more common in males.
Other types
There are also some rare types of NSCLC. These include:
- adenosquamous carcinoma
- carcinosarcomas
- sarcomatoid carcinoma, a group that includes spindle cell carcinoma and giant cell carcinoma
The first step to getting treatment for NSCLC is to get a diagnosis from a healthcare professional.
At your initial appointment, your doctor will conduct a physical examination and review your health history with you. They’ll ask questions about any current or past cigarette use.
If your healthcare team suspects NSCLC, they will order a series of tests to confirm the diagnosis. The tests will also determine the type of NSCLC you have.
Tests might include:
- Blood work: Blood tests can look for elevated levels of proteins and blood cells that can show cancer.
- Urine test: A urinalysis can look for substances in your urine that are a sign of cancer.
- CT scan: A CT scan takes detailed pictures of the inside of your lungs to look for tumors.
- PET scan: A PET scan can look for places where cancer may have spread. They can also help medical experts determine whether nodules found on CT scans might be cancerous.
- X-rays: X-rays take images that can help look for tumors.
- Bronchoscopy: A bronchoscopy uses a tiny camera on the end of a long, thin tube to look closely at your airways. This can help healthcare professionals see the type of tumor and its placement.
- Biopsy: During a biopsy, a healthcare professional will remove either a tiny piece of lung tissue or a small sample of lung fluid so they can analyze it in a lab.
- Thoracentesis: During a thoracentesis, your healthcare professional will remove a sample of the fluid between the lining of your chest and lungs for lab analysis. They’ll do this by inserting a long, thin needle into your chest. They can also perform a biopsy at the same time.
- Thoracoscopy: A thoracoscopy uses a tiny camera to collect images of the lining of your chest and look for tumors. It’s a surgical procedure that medical experts will sometimes do at the same time as a biopsy.
Treatment options for NSCLC depend on how far the cancer has spread, the type of NSCLC, and your overall health. Often, doctors will combine multiple treatments. Treatment options include:
- Surgery: Surgery is the first treatment option in the early stages of all types of lung cancer. Surgery can remove the tumor and the surrounding areas of tissue. A surgeon might remove all or part of the affected lung.
- Ablation: This technique uses heat to kill cancer cells and serves as an alternative when surgery is not an option.
- Radiation therapy: Radiation uses energy to kill cancer cells. It can shrink tumors and help treat areas that surgery cannot treat.
- Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy uses strong medication to kill cancer cells, and healthcare professionals recommend this approach if the cancer has spread. Your type of NSCLC will determine the exact chemo medications you’ll take.
- Targeted therapy: This therapy uses specialized anticancer medications that attack cancer cells but not healthy cells.
- Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy teaches your immune system how to fight cancer cells. It can be especially effective when combined with chemotherapy.
According to the
The outlook is typically more positive the earlier NSCLC is detected:
- 67% if the cancer had not yet spread beyond the lung
- 40% if the cancer had spread to nearby parts of the body
- 12% if the cancer had spread to distant parts of the body
The type of NSCLC may also affect your outlook. A
Keep in mind that survival rates rely on previous data. As new treatments for NSCLC continue to be researched and implemented, the outlook for those with all types of NSCLC will continue to improve.
If you’ve just received a diagnosis of NSCLC, your outlook may be more favorable.
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer, and several types can influence your treatment plan.
Treatment for all types of NSCLC is more effective when you receive a diagnosis in an early stage. Most other insurance plans and Medicare will pay for lung cancer screening if you’re eligible. Screening can help you find NSCLC early and get treatment before the cancer spreads.