Lung cancer - small cell

Alternative names

Cancer - lung - small cell; Small cell lung cancer

Definition

Lung cancer is a malignant tumor of the lungs. There are many types of lung cancer, but most can be categorized into two basic types, "small cell" and "non-small cell." Small cell lung cancer is generally faster growing than non-small cell, but more likely to respond to chemotherapy.

Small cell cancer is divided into "limited stage" (generally cancer confined to the chest) and "extensive stage" (cancer that has spread outside the chest).

The traditional staging system, which divides cancer into stages I through IV, is not generally applicable to small cell lung cancer.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Most lung cancers are caused by cigarette smoking. The more cigarettes you smoke per day and the earlier you started smoking, the greater the risk of lung cancer.

Second-hand smoke increases the risk. Government surveys show that as many as 3,000 people each year develop lung cancer from second-hand smoke. High levels of pollution, radiation, and asbestos exposure may also increase risk.

Lung cancer begins in cells that line the airways and often invade adjacent tissues or spread elsewhere in the body before symptoms are noticed.

About 20% of all lung cancer cases are small cell lung cancer, meaning about 30,000 patients each year are diagnosed with this disease.

Symptoms

• Cough
  
• Bloody sputum
  
• Shortness of breath
  
• Wheezing
  
• Chest pain
  
• Loss of appetite
  
• Weight loss
  

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:

• Weakness
  
• Swallowing difficulty
  
• Nail abnormalities
  
• Hoarseness or changing voice
  
• Fever
  
• Facial swelling
  

Signs and tests

The doctor can sometimes detect fluid that has collected around the lungs from a cancer by listening to your chest with a stethoscope.

Tests that may be performed include:

• Chest X-ray
  
• CAT scan of the chest