2. Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma: The Prevalent Adversary
Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma (NSCLC) is essentially the workhorse of lung cancers, making up a staggering 85% of all diagnosed cases. It’s a blanket term covering several subtypes, each having its own set of characteristics. One defining feature is the slower growth rate compared to Small Cell variants, offering a glimmer of hope for effective intervention.
Among the subtypes, Adenocarcinoma is the most common. Originating in the mucus-producing glands of the lungs, it’s also the variant most likely to afflict non-smokers. The cancer cells are cube-like under the microscope and are differentiated from other subtypes by their glandular appearance.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma, another subtype, takes root in the squamous cells that line the airways. Unlike Adenocarcinoma, it has a close relationship with smoking and is more likely to be centralized in the lungs. The afflicted cells are flat and scale-like under microscopic observation.
Large Cell Carcinoma, a less common subtype, is the wild card. These tumors can pop up anywhere in the lungs and exhibit a broad range of characteristics. It’s essentially a category for any non-small cell lung cancer that doesn’t fit the criteria for Adenocarcinoma or Squamous Cell.(2)
