| This article provides useful, detailed information about | | | | People with non-small cell lung cancer tend to be |
| Non Small Cell Lung Cancer. | | | | diagnosed later in the course of their disease, making |
| Approximately 80 percent of people with lung cancer | | | | these a difficult group of cancers to treat. The type |
| have non-small cell lung cancer. Depending on the | | | | of cancer, its location and stage, the presence of |
| type of cancer cell present, non-small cell cancer is in | | | | symptoms, and the patient\'s overall condition and |
| turn divided into several subtypes. Squamous cell | | | | ability to withstand treatment all affect the ultimate |
| carcinoma begins in thin, flat surface cells that line the | | | | outcome. Symptoms include breathlessness, chest |
| respiratory tract, and is the most common type. | | | | pain, coughing up of blood, fatigue, fever and weight |
| Adenocarcinoma forms in cells that have a secretory | | | | loss. A diagnosis is typically made by imaging, a lung |
| or glandular function. Adenosquamous carcinoma | | | | biopsy, and blood tests. |
| begins in flattened cells that also have secretory | | | | Early non-small cell lung cancer can be treated by |
| properties. In sarcomatoid carcinoma, cells look | | | | surgery. Once it spreads to surrounding chest tissues |
| markedly abnormal under the microscope. Carcinoid | | | | and to lymph nodes, chemotherapy and radiotherapy |
| tumors grow slowly, and release hormones when | | | | are frequently employed. Newer forms of treatment |
| stimulated by the nervous system. Cells in salivary | | | | include laser therapy, photodynamic therapy, and |
| glands in larger airways can also become cancerous. | | | | biotherapy. The five-year survival rate for early |
| Cancer cells in non-small cell lung cancer can produce | | | | non-small cell lung cancer is close to 50 percent; |
| hormones or hormone-like substances to cause | | | | five-year survival drops to about two percent in the |
| certain conditions called paraneoplastic syndromes. | | | | most advanced cases. A number of clinical trials are |
| These conditions include high blood calcium levels, | | | | underway to find better treatment options. The |
| abnormal clotting, overgrowth of certain bones and | | | | National Cancer Institute website provides information |
| those in the fingertips in particular, and abnormal | | | | on such trials. |
| breast growth in men. | | | | |