Small Cell Lung Cancer

Definition:
Small cell lung cancer is an aggressive cancer that grows and spreads to other parts of the body quickly. Also known as oat cell cancer, small cell lung cancer is often more responsive to chemotherapy and radiotherapy than nonsmall cell lung cancer, the other type of cancer found in the lungs. Still, small cell lung cancer usually relapses and becomes refractory to treatment within one to two years.

Small cell lung cancer is divided into two stages:

• "Limited stage" is typically confined to one lung and sometimes the lymph nodes on that side.
• "Extensive stage" has spread to the other lung and often outside of the chest area as well.

Small cell lung cancer is almost always linked to cigarette smoking. Cases of small cell lung cancer not associated with smoking are rare. According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 10 to 15% of all lung cancers are small cell lung cancer.

See also:

• All About Lung Cancer
• Smoking-Related Cancer Statistics

Also Known As: oat cell cancer