Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

WHAT IS LUNG CANCER?

Lung cancer is the uncontrolled growth of malignant (cancerous) cells in lung tissue. It is not a single disease but a group of cancers affecting the lungs and bronchi, the two large airways in the lungs.

Lung cancer is divided into two major classes, small cell and non-small cell. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF NSCLC?

There are three major sub-types of NSCLC, which are defined based on how the cells look under a microscope.

• Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of NSCLC, accounting for approximately 40 percent of cases. It typically arises near the outer surface of the lung and can vary in size and rate of growth.
  • Bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (BAC) is a type of adenocarcinoma that occurs more commonly in women and non-smokers.
• Squamous cell carcinoma generally arises in one of the bronchi and tends to grow relatively slowly.
• Large cell carcinoma can appear in any part of the lung and tends to grow and spread more quickly.

Approximately 55 to 65 percent of lung cancers are non-squamous NSCLC.

WHAT ARE THE STAGES OF NSCLC?

Staging of cancer, which is based on the extent or severity of disease, helps physicians to determine appropriate treatment. NSCLC stages range from I (least advanced) through IV (most advanced).

• Stage I – tumor is located in only one lung and has not spread to lymph nodes or outside the chest
• Stage II – tumor is located in one lung and may involve lymph nodes on the same side of the chest
• Stage III – more extensive lymph node involvement and/or the primary tumor has spread to more than one location in the chest
• Stage IV – tumor has spread to other distant sites in the body

Unfortunately, most patients are not diagnosed with NSCLC until the cancer has reached an advanced stage (III or IV)

WHAT IS THE SURVIVAL RATE OF NSCLC?

The average age-adjusted five-year relative survival rate for Americans with NSCLC is 15 percent. The more advanced NSCLC is at time of diagnosis, the poorer the prognosis.

WHAT CAUSES NSCLC?

• Cigarette smoking is the leading risk factor for developing lung cancer. Along with second-hand exposure to cigarette smoke, it accounts for an estimated 87 percent of lung cancer cases.
• Other risk factors for lung cancer include exposure to arsenic, radon, benzene, asbestos or radiation therapy to the chest or a history of tuberculosis.
• Family history of lung cancer can also contribute to an increased risk of the disease and may be due to shared environmental and genetic factors.
• An individual with multiple risk factors has a significantly increased risk of developing lung cancer.

HOW IS NSCLC TREATED?

Currently, there are four standard treatments for lung cancer: surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and targeted therapies. One or more of these therapies may be used, depending on the type of cancer, the stage of the disease and the overall health and age of the patient.

For more information about cancer:

• The American Cancer Society*
• The National Cancer Institute*
• People Living with Cancer*

References

1. Jemal A, Siegel R, Ward E, Murray T, Xu J, Thun M. Cancer statistics 2007. CA Cancer J Clin. 2007;57:43–66.
2. American Cancer Society. What is non-small cell lung cancer? Available at: http://www.cancer.org. Accessed September 9, 2006.
3. American Cancer Society. What is non-small cell lung cancer? Available at: http://www.cancer.org. Accessed September 9, 2006.
4. American Cancer Society. How is non-small cell lung cancer staged? Available at: http://www.cancer.org. Accessed September 9, 2006.
5. American Cancer Society. Can non-small cell lung cancer be found early? Available at: http://www.cancer.org. Accessed September 13, 2006.
6. American Cancer Society. Cancer facts and figures 2006. Available at: http://www.cancer.org. Accessed September 9, 2006.
7. American Cancer Society. How is non-small cell lung cancer staged? Available at: http://www.cancer.org. Accessed September 9, 2006.
8. American Cancer Society. What are the risk factors for non-small cell lung cancer? Available at: http://www.cancer.org. Accessed September 9, 2006.
9. American Cancer Society. How is non-small cell lung cancer treated? Available at: http://www.cancer.org. Accessed September 9, 2006.

*These websites are not endorsed by OSI, and OSI is not responsible for their content.

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