Is small cell or non-small cell lung cancer worse?
Generally, small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is worse than non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). SCLC accounts for about 10%-15% of people who have lung cancer and is the most aggressive form of lung cancer. In a person with SCLC, the cancerous cells appear small and round under a microscope, in comparison to people with NSCLC whose cells are larger.
SCLC usually starts in the breathing tubes (bronchi), and although the cells are small, they grow very quickly and create large tumors. 95% of people who develop SCLC have a history of smoking. Early on in the course of the disease, there are rarely any symptoms. If caught early (limited-stage disease) 20%-25% of people can be potentially cured. Extensive SCLC is more difficult to treat.
References
- Small Cell Lung Cancer. Rare diseases. Rare Diseases. https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/small-cell-lung-cancer/#:~:text=Lung%20cancer%2C%20as%20a%20group,year%20in%20the%20United%20States.
- Lung cancer - small cell Medline Plus https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000122.htm
Read next
What is the strongest chemotherapy drug for breast cancer?
Doxorubicin is considered one of the strongest chemotherapy drugs for breast cancer ever invented. It can kill cancer cells at every point in their life cycle, and it's used to treat a wide variety of cancers, not just breast cancer. Doxorubicin is also known as “The Red Devil” because it is a clear bright red color. It can cause your urine or other body fluids to turn a reddish color for 1 to 2 days after a dose is given, which is normal and temporary. Continue reading
Is non-small cell lung cancer hereditary?
A hereditary family history of lung cancer is one of the many risk factors for developing non-small cell lung cancer. About 8% of lung cancers are thought to be inherited or linked to gene changes, but smoking and air pollution remain the primary causes of lung cancer. Continue reading
How aggressive is non-small cell lung cancer?
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tends to spread more slowly than small cell lung cancer (SCLC). About 80% of all lung cancers are diagnosed as NSCLC. Some forms of NSCLC do grow rapidly, such as large cell undifferentiated carcinoma and large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma. Lung cancer most commonly spreads to the liver, brain, bones or adrenal glands. Continue reading
Related medical questions
- Does smoking cause non-small cell lung cancer?
- What type of prostate cancer is Erleada used to treat?
- What type of lung cancer is Vizimpro used to treat?
- What type of cancer is Tecentriq used to treat?
- What type of cancer is Daurismo (glasdegib) used to treat?
- Oxycodone vs Hydrocodone - How do they compare?
- Does omeprazole cause cancer?
- Why is Xanax so addictive?
- Does Ozempic cause cancer?
- How do you increase platelet count during chemotherapy?
- Vicodin vs Percocet: What's the difference?
- What are monoclonal antibodies?
- Why give Taxol (Paxel) before carboplatin?
- What is Quercetin and what are its health benefits?
- How do I know if immunotherapy is working?
- What are anti-VEGF drugs (VEGF inhibitors)?
- My stool has changed color. What does it mean?
- Treatments for Menopause
- How do I know if Aldara is working for skin cancer?
- How does Ibrance kill cancer?
- Does Skyrizi cause cancer?
- Does Xolair cause cancer?
- Is food coloring bad for you?
- What is a chemotherapy regimen?
- How do Herceptin (trastuzumab) and Perjeta (pertuzumab) work together?
- Can Tymlos cause bone cancer?
- How does chemotherapy affect the cell cycle?
Related support groups
- Cancer (185 questions, 643 members)
- Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (53 questions, 72 members)
- Lung Cancer (19 questions, 40 members)
- Small Cell Lung Cancer (10 questions, 20 members)