Types of Lung Cancer

The majority of lung cancers are NSCLC, (~80-85%) and can begin anywhere in the lung. There are three types of NSCLC that are classified based on the way the cancer looks under a microscope, and the treatment options may be different.

The three types of NSCLC include:

• Adenocarcinoma: This type of NSCLC is the most common type of lung cancer, making up 40% of lung cancers and starts in the cells, which make mucus, and line the outer parts of the lung.
• Squamous Cell Carcinoma: This type of NSCLC starts in the squamous cells, which are flat cells that line the inside of the airways (bronchi) in the lungs. Squamous cell carcinomas make up 25-30% of lung cancers.
• Large Cell Carcinoma: This is the least common type of NSCLC and looks like large cells under a microscope. This type of NSCLC tends to grow and spread quickly.

Other Subtypes: There are a few other less common subtypes of NSCLC, which include adenosquamous carcinoma and sarcomatoid carcinoma.

SCLC makes up ~10-15% of all lung cancers and begins in the neuroendocrine cells, which are the nerve cells or hormone-producing cells of the lung. It’s called “small cell” due to the size and shape of the cancer cells under a microscope.