Note: This document is specifically for the non-small cell type of lung cancer. The treatment for each type of lung cancer (small cell vs. non-small cell) is very different, so much of the information for one type will not apply to the other type. If you are not sure which type of lung cancer you have, it is very important to ask you doctor so you can be sure the information you receive is correct.

Lung cancer is a cancer that starts in the lungs. In order to understand lung cancer, it helps to know about the normal structure and function of the lungs.

The lungs

Your lungs are 2 sponge-like organs found in your chest. Your right lung is divided into 3 sections, called lobes. Your left lung has 2 lobes. The left lung is smaller because the heart takes up more room on that side of the body.

When you breathe in, air enters through your mouth or nose and goes into your lungs through the trachea (windpipe). The trachea divides into tubes called the bronchi (singular, bronchus), which divide into smaller branches called bronchioles. At the end of the bronchioles are tiny air sacs known as alveoli.

Many tiny blood vessels run through the alveoli. They absorb oxygen from the inhaled air into your bloodstream and pass carbon dioxide from the body into the alveoli. This is expelled from the body when you exhale. Taking in oxygen and getting rid of carbon dioxide are your lungs' main functions.

A thin lining layer called the pleura surrounds the lungs. The pleura protects your lungs and helps them slide back and forth as they expand and contract during breathing.

Start and spread of lung cancer

Most lung cancers start in the bronchi, but they can also begin in other areas such as the trachea, bronchioles, or alveoli.

Lung cancers are thought to develop over many years. They may start as areas of pre-cancerous changes in the lung. The first changes happen within the cells themselves, but at this point the cells do not form a mass or tumor. They cannot be seen on an x-ray and they do not cause symptoms. Over time, these pre-cancerous changes may progress to true cancer. As a cancer develops, the cancer cells may make chemicals that cause new blood vessels to form nearby. These new blood vessels nourish the cancer cells, which can continue to grow and form a tumor large enough to be seen on imaging tests such as x-rays.

At some point, cells from the cancer may break away from the original tumor and spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body. Lung cancer is a life-threatening disease because it often spreads in this way even before it can be detected on an imaging test such as a chest x-ray.

The lymph (lymphatic) system

The lymph system is important to understand because it is one of the ways in which lung cancers can spread. This system has several parts.

Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped collections of immune system cells (cells that fight infections) that are connected by lymphatic vessels. Lymphatic vessels are like small veins, except that they carry a clear fluid called lymph (instead of blood) away from the lungs. Lymph contains tissue fluid and waste products, as well as immune system cells.

Lung cancer cells can enter lymphatic vessels and begin to grow in lymph nodes around the bronchi and in the mediastinum (the area between the 2 lungs). When lung cancer cells have reached the lymph nodes, they are more likely to have spread to other organs of the body as well. The stage (extent) of the cancer and decisions about treatment are based on whether or not the cancer has spread to the nearby lymph nodes in the mediastinum. These topics are discussed later in the section, "How is non-small cell lung cancer staged?"

Types of lung cancer

There are 2 major types of lung cancer:

• small cell lung cancer (SCLC)
• non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

If a lung cancer has characteristics of both types it is called a mixed small cell/large cell cancer. This is uncommon.

The 2 types of lung cancer are discussed separately because they are treated very differently. This document focuses on non-small cell lung cancer. Small cell lung cancer is discussed in our separate document, Lung Cancer (Small Cell).

Non-small cell lung cancer

About 85% to 90% of lung cancers are non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). There are 3 subtypes of NSCLC. The cells in these subtypes differ in size, shape, and chemical make-up when looked at under a microscope.

Squamous cell carcinoma: About 25% to 30% of all lung cancers are squamous cell carcinomas. They are often linked to a history of smoking and tend to be found in the middle of the lungs, near a bronchus.

Adenocarcinoma: This type accounts for about 40% of lung cancers. It is usually found in the outer region of lung. People with one type of adenocarcinoma, sometimes called bronchioloalveolar carcinoma, tend to have a better outlook (prognosis) than those with other types of lung cancer.

Large-cell (undifferentiated) carcinoma: This type of cancer accounts for about 10% to 15% of lung cancers. It may appear in any part of the lung. It tends to grow and spread quickly, which can make it harder to treat effectively.

Other types of lung cancer

Along with the 2 main types of lung cancer, other tumors can occur in the lungs.

Carcinoid tumors of the lung account for fewer than 5% of lung tumors. Most are slow-growing tumors that are called typical carcinoid tumors. They are generally cured by surgery. Although some typical carcinoid tumors can spread, they usually have a better prognosis than small cell or non-small cell lung cancer. Less common are atypical carcinoid tumors. The outlook for these tumors is somewhere in between typical carcinoids and small cell lung cancer. For more information about typical and atypical carcinoid tumors, see our separate document, Lung Carcinoid Tumor.

There are other, even more rare, lung tumors such as adenoid cystic carcinomas, hamartomas, lymphomas, and sarcomas. These tumors are treated differently from the more common lung cancers. They are not discussed in this document.

Cancer that starts in other organs (such as the breast, pancreas, kidney, or skin) and spreads (metastasizes) to the lungs is not the same as lung cancer. For example, cancer that starts in the breast and spreads to the lungs is still breast cancer, not lung cancer. Treatment for metastatic cancer to the lungs depends on where it started (the primary cancer site). For information on these cancers, refer to our separate documents on each.

Last Medical Review: 10/24/2008
Last Revised: 10/24/2008