About Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: Get the Facts
What Is Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer?
As you may have learned from the About Cancer page, cancer occurs when abnormal cells divide uncontrollably. Lung cancers usually begin as precancerous cells
in the lungs, then eventually turn into full tumors.
Lung cancers can take years to develop, often going unseen on X rays and causing no symptoms. They can spread to other areas of the body before they are even found. This is why lung cancers can be so life threatening.
Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer and includes three subtypes:
- Adenocarcinoma: This type of non-small-cell lung cancer usually is found in the lung's outer areas, and it makes up about 40% of all lung cancers.
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma: This type of non-small-cell lung cancer is associated with smoking and usually is found by a bronchus
. Squamous cell carcinoma makes up about 25%-30% of all lung cancers.
- Large-Cell Undifferentiated Carcinoma: This type of non-small-cell lung cancer can originate anywhere in the lung, and it may grow and spread (metastasize
) quickly. Large-cell undifferentiated carcinoma makes up about 10%-15% of all lung cancers.
Sometimes non-small-cell lung cancer can spread outside of the lungs and into other body parts. Although lung cancer can spread anywhere, it commonly spreads to the liver, brain and bones.
Lung Cancer Statistics
According to the American Cancer Society:
- Lung cancer is the number one cause of death in women and men.
- Lung cancer causes more deaths than breast, prostate and colon cancers combined.
- It is estimated that about 174,000 new lung cancer cases will occur in 2006.
- Tobacco smoke is responsible for about 80% of lung cancer cases.
- About 70% of lung cancer cases occur in people older than age 65.
- Non-small-cell lung cancer accounts for about 85% of all lung cancers.
- Non-small-cell lung cancer rates are decreasing rapidly in men, but more slowly in women.
Learn more about non-small-cell lung cancer:
