3 common pathological types of lung cancer

Lung cancer mostly originates from the bronchial mucosal epithelium, so it is also called bronchial lung cancer. Most lung cancer patients are over 40 years old, and the male-to-female ratio is 3 to 5:1. The pathological histological classification of lung cancer is squamous cell carcinoma, small cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, large cell carcinoma, adenosquamous carcinoma, pleomorphic carcinoma, carcinoid, salivary gland carcinoma and undifferentiated carcinoma. The following three categories are common in clinical practice:

1. Squamous cell carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma, also known as SCC, is the most common type of lung cancer, accounting for half of all lung cancers. It is common in men over 50 years old. Most of them originate from the large bronchi and manifest as central lung cancer. It develops slowly and has a long course. It metastasizes through the lymph nodes in the early stage and through the blood in the late stage. It is more sensitive to radiation and chemotherapy.

2. Small cell carcinoma

Small cell carcinoma, also known as oat cell carcinoma, has a lower incidence rate than squamous cell carcinoma and a younger age of onset. Most patients are male. It usually originates from larger bronchi and often presents as central lung cancer. It develops rapidly and will have lymph node and blood metastasis at an earlier age. Although it is sensitive to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, the prognosis is poor.

3. Adenocarcinoma

Adenocarcinoma is more common in women with a younger age of onset. Most of them originate from smaller bronchial epithelia and often present as peripheral lung cancer. There are no obvious clinical symptoms in the early stage and it is often found in X-ray examinations. It appears as a round or oval lobed mass. It generally grows slowly, but blood metastasis may occur in the early stage and lymph node metastasis in the late stage.