What types of non-small cell lung cancer are there

Non-small cell lung cancer mainly includes three types: adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and large cell carcinoma. These subtypes differ in pathology, pathogenesis and treatment methods, but their treatment is mainly surgery, chemoradiotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy, and the options for different types may be slightly different.

1. Types and characteristics of non-small cell lung cancer

1. Adenocarcinoma: It is the most common type of non-small cell lung cancer, accounting for about 40%-50% of cases, and is more common in non-smoking female patients. Adenocarcinoma often originates in the peripheral parts of the lungs, and early symptoms are hidden, which may be manifested by persistent cough, fatigue, or occasional blood in sputum.

2. Squamous cell carcinoma: It accounts for about 25%-30%, and is often related to smoking. It usually occurs in the central part of the lungs. Squamous cell carcinoma is more likely to cause symptoms such as coughing, sputum and chest pain. It is discovered earlier because it invades the airway earlier.

3. Large cell carcinoma: The incidence rate is relatively low, accounting for 10%-15%. It is characterized by poor cell differentiation and high invasiveness. It is more common in the peripheral parts of the lungs. There may be no obvious symptoms in the early stages and it is easy to spread in the late stages.

2. Different types of treatment options

1. Surgical treatment: For cases with a clear diagnosis and confined to the lungs, surgical resection is the preferred method. Depending on the specific situation, lobectomy, segmentectomy or pneumonectomy can be selected.

2. Chemoradiotherapy: Generally suitable for patients who cannot undergo surgery or for postoperative adjuvant therapy. Squamous cell carcinoma is sensitive to chemoradiotherapy, while large cell carcinoma may require more intensive chemotherapy due to its higher malignancy.

3. Targeted therapy: Mainly used for patients with adenocarcinoma containing specific gene mutations such as EGFR mutation, ALK fusion, etc. Commonly used drugs include gefitinib, erlotinib and osimertinib.

4 Immunotherapy: Drugs such as the PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor carrelizumab can be used for patients who are unable to undergo surgery and for whom genetic testing has not found effective target mutations.

3. Recommendations for the prevention and treatment of non-small cell lung cancer

During treatment, efforts should be made to prevent predisposing factors. Quitting smoking is a key preventive measure, especially for reducing the risk of squamous cell carcinoma. Environmental exposure to carcinogens such as asbestos, uranium, and radon should be reduced, and regular physical examinations should be conducted, especially for high-risk groups such as smokers and those who have long-term exposure to pollutants. Low-dose spiral CT screening is recommended every year.

It is very important to distinguish the type of non-small cell lung cancer as early as possible, because the treatment plan varies by type. If you have a persistent cough, blood in your sputum, or other suspected lung cancer symptoms, you should see a doctor as soon as possible, have pathology and genetic testing to clarify the condition, and develop a personalized treatment plan to improve your survival rate.