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Lung Cancer - Small Cell
Alternate Names : Cancer - Lung - Small Cell, Small Cell Lung Cancer
DefinitionLung cancer is a malignant tumor of the lungs. There are many types of lung cancer, but most can be categorized into two basic types, "small cell" and "non-small cell." Small cell lung cancer is generally faster growing than non-small cell, but more likely to respond to chemotherapy.
Small cell cancer is divided into "limited stage" (generally cancer confined to the chest) and "extensive stage" (cancer that has spread outside the chest). The traditional staging system, which divides cancer into stages I through IV, is not generally applicable to small cell lung cancer.
Pictures & Images
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Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Most lung cancers are caused by cigarette smoking. The more cigarettes you smoke per day and the earlier you started smoking, the greater the risk of lung cancer.
Second-hand smoke increases the risk. Government surveys show that as many as 3,000 people each year develop lung cancer from second-hand smoke. High levels of pollution, radiation, and asbestos exposure may also increase risk.
Lung cancer begins in cells that line the airways and often invade adjacent tissues or spread elsewhere in the body before symptoms are noticed.
About 20% of all lung cancer cases are small cell lung cancer, meaning about 30,000 patients each year are diagnosed with this disease.
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• Definition
• Small Cell Lung Cancer Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
• Small Cell Lung Cancer Symptoms & Signs
• Small Cell Lung Cancer Prevention
• Small Cell Lung Cancer Diagnosis & Tests
• Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment
• Small Cell Lung Cancer Prognosis
• Small Cell Lung Cancer Complications
• Small Cell Lung Cancer Support Groups
• Calling Your Health Care Provider
• Pictures & Images
Topics that might be of interest to you Diseases & Conditions
• Lung Cancer - Non-Small Cell
• Tumor
Tests & Exams
• Biopsy
• Bronchoscopy
• CEA
• Lung Needle Biopsy
• Open Lung Biopsy
• Osmolality
• PTH
Other Topics
• Appetite - Decreased
• Breathing Difficulty
• Cancer - Resources
• Chemotherapy
• Chest Pain
• Cough
• Coughing Up Blood
• Cytologic Evaluation
• Facial Swelling
• Fever
• Hoarseness or Changing Voice
• Nail Abnormalities
• Radiation Therapy
• Swallowing Difficulty
• Weakness
• Weight Loss - Unintentional
Review Date : 6/8/2003
Reviewed By : Robert J. Green, M.D., M.S.C.E., Division of Oncology, Good Samaritan Medical Center, West Palm Beach, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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