Introduction
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in men and women. Every year, primary carcinoma of the lungs affects 93,000 men and 80,000 women in the U.S. and 86% die within 5 years of diagnosis. The incidence of lung cancer peaks between the ages 55 and 65.

The term lung cancer is for cancers arising from the respiratory epithelium (bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli). Mesothelioma is distinct from epithelial lung cancer and are considered a different type of cancer.

There are two major subdivisions of lung cancer:

Small cell – sometimes called oat cell.
Non-small cell - comprised of various types including: - Squamous or epidermoid carcinoma
- Adenocarcinoma (including bronchioloalveolar)
- Large cell carcinoma (sometimes called large cell anaplastic)


Type, Staging and Prognosis