Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

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• QWhat are the different types of non-small cell lung cancer?

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  A HealthyWomen answered

  There are three types of non-small cell lung cancer:

  • Adenocarcinoma makes up about 40% of lung cancers. This type usually starts along the outer edges of the lungs in the small airways. People with a type of adenocarcinoma called adenocarcinoma in situ (previously called bronchioloalveolar carcinoma) generally do better than those who have other types of lung cancer. This type may be seen in both smokers and nonsmokers.
  • Squamous cell carcinoma makes up about 25-30% of lung cancers. These tumors are usually found in the middle of the lungs, near a major airway. It's almost always caused by smoking. Squamous cell carcinoma most often starts in cells of the central airway (bronchi), the largest branch of the lung's passages.
  • Large-cell (undifferentiated) carcinomas are a group of cancers with large, abnormal-looking cells. They may appear in any part of the lung.

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• QWhat is non-small cell lung cancer?

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  A Penn Medicine answered

  Non-small cell lung cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the lung.
  
  There are several types of non-small cell lung cancer. Each type of non-small cell lung cancer has different kinds of cancer cells. The cancer cells of each type grow and spread in different ways. The types of non-small cell lung cancer are named for the kinds of cells found in the cancer and how the cells look under a microscope:

  • Squamous cell carcinoma: Cancer that begins in squamous cells, which are thin, flat cells that look like fish scales. This is also called epidermoid carcinoma.
  • Large cell carcinoma: Cancer that may begin in several types of large cells.
  • Adenocarcinoma: Cancer that begins in the cells that line the alveoli and make substances such as mucus.

  Other less common types of non-small cell lung cancer are: pleomorphic, carcinoid tumor, salivary gland carcinoma and unclassified carcinoma.

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• QHow does bronchoalveolar carcinoma affect the body?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  Bronchoalveolar carcinoma affects cells located near the lung's air sacs (alveoli) or the windpipes that branch off the trachea and supply each lung with air (bronchi). Because they are a sub-type of adenocarcinoma, malignant bronchoalveolar carcinoma cells usually line the outside of internal organs. Most cases of bronchoalveolar carcinoma are found on the peripheral parts of the lungs, which is a general term for the area outside the central area of the lungs closest to the trachea. Although bronchoalveolar carcinoma in non-invasive, it can spread (metastasize) throughout the lungs. However, it does not usually spread outside the lungs like many other cancers.

• QWhat is bronchoalveolar carcinoma?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  Bronchoalveolar carcinoma (BAC) is a sub-category of adenocarcinoma, a type of lung cancer that occurs in the marginal parts of the lungs. Bronchoalveolar carcinoma grows near the lung's air sacs (alveoli) or either of the two windpipes that branch out from the trachea to each lung (bronchi). Lung cancer is usually classified by which type of carcinoma cell invades the lungs. The types of carcinoma can be broken into small cell (appearing smaller than normal cells and attacking more aggressively) and non-small cell. Non-small cell carcinoma includes large cell (appearing bigger than normal cells), squamous cell (usually flat and found lining internal organs), or adenocarcinoma (usually appears similar to a gland), of which bronchoalveolar carcinoma is a sub-type.

• QWhat are the symptoms of bronchoalveolar carcinoma?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  Symptoms of bronchoalveolar carcinoma are similar to those other many other lung disorders, such as pneumonia or asthma. The most common symptom of bronchoalveolar carcinoma is a progressive cough that brings up mucus. This condition is called bronchorrhea. People with bronchoalveolar carcinoma may also cough up blood or experience persistent chest pain.

• QWhat causes bronchoalveolar carcinoma?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  Little is known about the exact cause of bronchoalveolar carcinoma. In fact, research shows that is has been found in smokers and non-smokers alike. It is also more common in women and people with Asian heritage. Studies suggest that bronchoalveolar carcinoma may be linked with previous conditions that scar the lungs, such as tuberculosis.

• QWhat increases my risk for bronchoalveolar carcinoma?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  Although doctors are unsure about the exact causes of bronchoalveolar carcinoma, the disease has been linked with several factors. Cases of bronchoalveolar carcinoma are rare, but doctors have recently noticed an increase in cases among non-smoking women. Heritage may also be a risk factor, as more cases of bronchoalveolar carcinoma are diagnosed in people with Asian descent.

• QHow is bronchoalveolar carcinoma diagnosed?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  Bronchoalveolar carcinoma is often misdiagnosed because its symptoms are similar to those of other lung diseases such as pneumonia or asthma. One way doctors can diagnose bronchoalveolar carcinoma is through chest radiographs, which can detect the cancerous legions in the lungs. If bronchoalveolar carcinoma is suspected, doctors can also run a computed tomography (CT) scan of the lungs, which produces a number of x-ray images of the chest. The doctor can then check for malignant tumors in various locations of the lungs. If the tumor is located on the peripheral part of the lungs or near the alveoli or bronchi, a diagnosis of bronchoalveolar carcinoma can be made.

• QAre there alternative treatments for bronchoalveolar carcinoma?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  Alternative treatment options for bronchoalveolar carcinoma, as with the other types of cancer, is aimed at lessening symptoms and making life more comfortable. Many people with lung cancer have found alternative treatments soothing when there were no treatment options available to them. Options for alternative treatments include hypnosis, full-body massages, yoga, or meditation. These treatments offer relaxation techniques that can help focus your breathing and reduce your symptoms. Some people with lung cancers have also found symptoms relief through acupuncture, in which needles are positioned in various pressure points in the body. Because acupuncture is safe only if performed by a licensed professional, you should ask your doctor for a recommendation if you wish to try it.

• QHow do I manage bronchoalveolar carcinoma on a daily basis?

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  A Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answered

  If you have been diagnosed with bronchoalveolar carcinoma, it is important to begin treatment immediately to prevent the malignant tumor from metastasizing (spreading). Because bronchoalveolar carcinoma cells are known to be spread out throughout the lungs, it is crucial that you find and remove cancerous cells as soon as possible. While you are being treated, it may be helpful to relax and focus on your breathing. Ask your doctor how to stay healthy while being treated for bronchoalveolar carcinoma.