Question WHAT IS "NON SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER"? IS IT CURABLE? DID ANYBODY WITH THE ABOVE DISEASE HAD SURVIVED?
Answer Dear Harikrishna,
The Cancer Research UK site states that "There are three types of non-small cell lung cancer. These are grouped together because they behave in a similar way and respond to treatment differently to small cell lung cancer. The three types are
Squamous cell carcinoma
Adenocarcinoma
Large cell carcinoma
Occasionally it is not possible to work out which type of non small cell lung cancer you have. If the cells in the biopsy are very undeveloped, it just may not be possible to tell. Undeveloped cancer cells are known as undifferentiated cells. So you will be told you have undifferentiated non-small cell lung cancer. This will not make any difference to your treatment as all non-small cell lung cancers are treated the same way at present.
Squamous cell cancer is the commonest type of lung cancer. It develops from the cells that line the airways and you often find it near the centre of the lung in one of the main airways (the left or right bronchus). This type of cancer is often due to smoking.
Adenocarcinoma also develops from the cells that line the airways. But it develops from a particular type of cell that produces mucus (phlegm). You often find it in the outer regions of the lungs.
Large cell lung cancer is called this because the cells look large and rounded when they are looked at under a microscope." [end of quote]
In regards to treatment and survival - this depends on many individual factors such as the type of non small cell cancer, how advanced the disease is, response to treatment etc...
I'm sorry that I cannot provide more specific details than this but I do not have a great deal of knowledge about lung cancer. I suggest that you also seek medical answers to your questions from a cancer specialist or try the message boards at WebMD which have doctors on staff to answer questions. This site can be found at www.webmd.com
Sorry I could not be of more help.
Kind regards
Jane
