overview of lung Cancer

Lung cancer affects more than 200,000 Americans each year. Although cigarette smoking is the main cause, anyone can develop lung cancer. Lung cancer is always treatable, no matter

the size, location, or if the cancer has spread.

The lungs absorb oxygen from the air and bring the oxygen into the bloodstream for delivery to the rest of the body. As the body’s cells use oxygen, they release carbon dioxide. The

bloodstream carries carbon dioxide back to the lungs, and the

carbon dioxide leaves the body when people exhale. The lungs

contain many different types of cells. Most cells in the lung are

epithelial cells. Epithelial cells line the airways and produce

mucus, which lubricates and protects the lung. The lung also

contains nerve cells, hormone-producing cells, blood cells, and

structural or supporting cells.

There are two major types of lung cancer: non-small cell and

small cell. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) arises from

epithelial cells and is the most common type. Small cell lung

cancer begins in the nerve cells or hormone-producing cells of

the lung. The term “small cell” refers to the size and shape of

the cancer cells as seen under a microscope. It is important

for doctors to distinguish NSCLC from small cell lung cancer

because the two types of cancer are usually treated in

different ways.