Lung cancer

Lung cancer is the third most diagnosed cancer in the UK and it mainly affects older people. Smoking is the most common cause. This is because smoking regularly involves inhaling a number of different toxic substances. Although, people who have never smoked can develop lung cancer.

 There are two main types of lung cancer:

 

• Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) — It can be one of three types; adenocarcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas and large cell carcinomas.

 

• Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) —Approximately 15-20 % of lung cancer patients have SCLC. This type of cancer is often caused by smoking and has the ability to spread more easily.

 

A less common form of lung cancer is pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the linings of the lungs. Other rare types include lung lymphoma, lung sarcoma, salivary gland tumours and thymoma.