Difference Between Small Cell & Large Cell Cancer

Cancer that first appears in the lungs is called "primary lung cancer." There are several different types of primary lung cancers; they are divided into two categories: small cell and non-small cell.

Categories

• Cancer cells are categorized by the way they look under a microscope, the way they behave and the way they respond to treatment.

Small Cell Cancer

• Approximately one fifth of lung cancers are small cell, a fast-growing type. The cells are small, oval-shaped and have a large nucleus. They may spread quickly to other parts of the body, making chemotherapy the preferred treatment. Another name for small cell cancer is "oat cell." It is almost always caused by smoking.

Non-small Cell Cancer

• Non-small cell cancer is a more common type of lung cancer. This category is divided further into squamous cell carcinoma, large cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma.

Large Cell Carcinoma

• Large cell carcinoma is a type of non-small cell cancer of the lung that looks round and abnormally large under a microscope. It is also a fast-growing form. Treatment choices include radiation, surgery, and/or chemotherapy, depending on the location of the cancer and how far it has progressed.

Undifferentiated Non-small Cell

• When non-small cells are undeveloped, they may be undifferentiated, meaning the type is unknown. This does not affect treatment decisions.