Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for about 85% of all lung cancers. There are several sub-types of NSCLC but the most commonly diagnosed are:
Adenocarcinoma
Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of lung cancer, in men and women, regardless of their age. It is usually found near the edge of the lung. It can develop in the chest lining causing fluid to form in the chest cavity. This type of NSCLC tends to grow more slowly than other lung cancers and has a greater chance of being found before it has spread (or metastasised) to other body organs.
Squamous cell carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma can develop in the mucous membrane that lines the bronchial tubes. Coughing up blood is a common sign of squamous cell NSCLC.
Large cell undifferentiated carcinoma
This is a rare sub-type of NSCLC. Large cell undifferentiated carcinoma often begins in the central part of the lungs. It is known to grow and spread quickly into nearby lymph nodes as well as other organs.
Knowing the subtype of NSCLC allows the healthcare team to identify the best treatment options.
NSCLC is not the same in every person. Recently, the complexity of lung cancer has been identified through genome research. The different sub-types of NSCLC lung cancer can be grouped according to the type of DNA damage that causes the lung cancer. This type of genetic or molecular testing can help doctors identify if your lung cancer can be treated by medicines that target these DNA changes.