Classification of Lung Cancer

Lung cancer can be divided into three categories: small cell carcinoma, non-small cell carcinoma and mesothelioma:

1. Small cell carcinoma

About 15% of lung cancers are small cell carcinoma. Cancer is growing and growing fast. In most people, the type of lung cancer is discovered late, when it is not possible to cure.

2. Non-small cell carcinoma

This is the most common type, is found in about 80 percent of patients. This cancer develops slowly over several stages in the lung tissue. The cells are attacked primarily to the cells that line the lungs (main bronchus) and smaller airways.

3. mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a cancer of the pleural membrane cells in the lungs. Cancer is rare and is strongly associated with exposure to asbestos. The development of mesothelioma is very slow. Sometimes 25-50 years elapse between exposure to asbestos and the development of this disease.