Does neuroendocrine carcinoma of the lung belong to small cell lung cancer?

Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the lung is not completely equivalent to small cell lung cancer. It is a broader disease category that includes small cell lung cancer and other types of neuroendocrine tumors. Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the lung is divided according to different pathological types and degrees of differentiation, including typical carcinoid, atypical carcinoid, large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma and small cell lung cancer. Understanding the specific classification, symptoms and treatment plans can help patients get more accurate treatment.

1Classification of pulmonary neuroendocrine carcinoma

Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the lung is divided into four types based on the degree of tumor differentiation and malignancy:

Typical carcinoid: well-differentiated, lowest degree of malignancy, slow growth and good prognosis.

Atypical carcinoid: general differentiation, moderate malignancy, and rapid growth.

Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma: It is highly malignant and has a relatively poor prognosis.

Small cell lung cancer: The most malignant type, it progresses rapidly and the prognosis is often poor. Small cell lung cancer accounts for about 15% of all lung cancers and is the most representative type of pulmonary neuroendocrine cancer.

2 Symptoms of neuroendocrine lung cancer

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and other types of neuroendocrine cancer may not have obvious symptoms in the early stages, but as the disease progresses, symptoms such as persistent cough, hoarseness, chest pain, and dyspnea may occur. Some patients may develop specific syndromes, such as Cushing's syndrome or carcinoid syndrome. These symptoms suggest that patients should seek medical attention as soon as possible and have their condition clarified through imaging examinations and pathological diagnosis.

3 Treatment of neuroendocrine lung cancer

Treatment options vary depending on the specific tumor type and stage:

Drug treatment: Small cell lung cancer is mainly treated with chemotherapy such as etoposide combined with cisplatin or carboplatin, which has good efficacy but is prone to recurrence; patients with carcinoid tumors are mostly treated with long-acting octreotide to control symptoms.

Surgical treatment: Well-differentiated typical carcinoid, atypical carcinoid and some early neuroendocrine carcinomas such as large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma can be cured by surgical removal of the tumor.

Radiation therapy: It is often used for small cell lung cancer or large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma that is locally inoperable, and is often combined with chemotherapy for comprehensive treatment.

Immunotherapy such as PD-L1/PD-1 inhibitors also show potential in some cases.

Neuroendocrine cancer of the lung includes many types, and the treatment strategy must be determined according to the condition, but small cell lung cancer is just one of the more malignant types. If you suspect related diseases, you should seek medical attention in time to obtain early diagnosis and personalized treatment plans.