Updated 2/23/2024: There is a system outage and certain functions, such as scheduling, may not be available today. We will call patients to schedule any upcoming appointments when the system is back online. Our clinics remain open and previously scheduled appointments will continue as planned. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Disease & Drug Information

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

There are several types of non-small cell lung cancer.

Each type of non-small cell lung cancer has different kinds of cancer cells. The cancer cells of each type grow and spread in different ways. The types of non-small cell lung cancer are named for the kinds of cells found in the cancer and how the cells look under a microscope:

  • Squamous cell carcinoma: Cancer that begins in squamous cells, which are thin, flat cells that look like fish scales. This is also called epidermoid carcinoma.
  • Large cell carcinoma: Cancer that may begin in several types of large cells.
  • Adenocarcinoma: Cancer that begins in the cells that line the alveoli and make substances such as mucus.

Other less common types of non-small cell lung cancer are: pleomorphic, carcinoid tumor, salivary gland carcinoma, and unclassified carcinoma.

Smoking can increase the risk of developing non-small cell lung cancer.

Visit the National Cancer Institute where this information and more can be found about Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer or ask your cancer care team questions about your individual situation.

Lo que usted necesita saber sobre el cáncer de pulmón de células no pequeñas.