Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for 80 to 85% of all lung cancers. It is called “non-small cell” because the cancer cells are different from those found in small cell lung cancer.
Most cases of NSCLC are linked with smoking, though in up to 20% of cases no link is found. There are 3 subtypes of NSCLC (called “squamous”, “adenocarcinoma” and “large cell” lung cancer). They are all treated in a similar way and show similar outcomes.
The other type of lung cancer, called small cell lung cancer (SCLC), is less common. The cancer cells are small and have a characteristic appearance. It is almost always linked to smoking. Small cell lung cancer is more difficult to treat successfully than non-small cell lung cancer.
