Lung Cancer Small Cell

Types of Cancer >> Mesothelioma Disease >> Lung Cancer Small Cell

Lung cancer small cell is a type of lung cancer where malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the lung. Tobacco smoking is the biggest cause of this type of lung cancer. Another form of lung cancer is Emphysema, Mesothelioma Disease, also called Mesothelioma Lung Cancer where exposure to asbestos causes the cancer. There are two types of lung cancer small cell listed below.

Types of Lung Cancer Small Cell

  1. Small cell carcinoma (oat cell cancer)
  2. Combined small cell carcinoma

The types of small cell lung cancer are named for the kinds of cells found in the cancer and how the cells look when viewed under a microscope. These two types include many different types of cells. The cancer cells of each type grow and spread in different ways.

Lungs and Bronchials

The lungs are a pair of cone-shaped breathing organs that are found within the chest. The lungs bring oxygen into the body when breathing in and take out carbon dioxide when breathing out. Each lung has sections called lobes. The left lung has two lobes. The right lung, which is slightly larger, has three. A thin membrane called the pleura surrounds the lungs. Two tubes called bronchi lead from the trachea (windpipe) to the right and left lungs. The bronchi are sometimes also involved in lung cancer. Small tubes called bronchioles and tiny air sacs called alveoli make up the inside of the lungs.

Lung Cancer Small Cell

Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells somewhere in the body. The lungs are the organs that nourish our blood with fresh oxygen and eliminate carbon dioxide when we breathe.

Put those two together and you have a deadly disease called lung cancer.

Lung Cancer Small Cell Risk Factors

Anything that increases your chance of getting a disease is called a risk factor. Having a risk factor does not mean that you will get cancer; not having risk factors doesn’t mean that you will not get cancer. People who think they may be at risk of lung cancer small cell should discuss this with their doctor. Cigarette smoking is the most common cause of lung cancer. Risk factors for small cell lung cancer include:

  1. Smoking cigarettes, cigars, or pipes now or in the past.
  2. Being exposed to secondhand smoke.
  3. Being exposed to asbestos or radon.

Be sure to check out our lists of links for more detailed information on lung cancer particularly lung cancer small cell.