Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSCLCNSCLCOther TypesDifferencesFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
SCLC
NSCLC
Other Types
Differences
Frequently Asked Questions
There are two main types oflung cancer: small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. Each type looks, grows, and spreads differently. They are also treated in different ways.
This article discusses the differences betweensmall cell lung cancerandnon-small cell lung cancer.
What Is Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)?
Like its name suggests, small cell lung cancer contains cells that are smaller in size. SCLC usually starts in thebronchi, located in the middle of the chest.It’s sometimes referred to as “oat cell cancer” because under a microscope, its oval-shaped cells look like grains of oat.
SCLC tends to grow and spread in the body quickly, but usually responds well tochemotherapyandradiation. Most people are diagnosed with SCLC when the disease has already spread.
There are two sub-types of SCLC: small cell carcinoma and combined small cell carcinoma. These groups are categorized based on how their cells look under a microscope.
What Is Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)?
Non-small cell lung cancer affects the cells lining the surface of the lung’s airways.NSCLCs are usually more slow-growing than SCLCs. The cells of a NSCLC tumor are typically larger in size.
There are three main subtypes of NSCLC: adenocarcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas, and large cell carcinomas.
Adenocarcinoma
Adenocarcinomasoften start in the outer region of the lung, in glands that would normally secrete mucus to help you breathe. They’re the most common form of lung cancer.
About 30% of all lung cancers and 40% of NSCLCs are adenocarcinomas.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinomas, also called epidermoid carcinomas, are the second most common type of NSCLC. They start in the squamous cells, which are thin, flat cells that line the inside of the airways.
About 25% to 30% of NSCLCs are squamous cell carcinomas.
Large Cell Carcinoma
Large cell carcinomas are a rare form of NSCLC, which only represent about 10% to 15% of all cases.This type of lung cancer can occur anywhere in the lung and is usually aggressive.
There are other, more rare forms of lung cancer. In some cases, if your cancer cells look undeveloped under a microscope, healthcare providers might not be able to tell you exactly what type you have.
Lung Cancer Rates DecreasingThe number of new lung cancer cases has been decreasing in recent years. Experts believe this could be due to more people quitting smoking.
Lung Cancer Rates Decreasing
The number of new lung cancer cases has been decreasing in recent years. Experts believe this could be due to more people quitting smoking.
Small Cell vs. Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
SCLC and NSCLC share some similarities, but also some important differences.
In general, SCLCs are more aggressive and have a poorer prognosis, but your outlook greatly depends on when the cancer is detected.
Causes and Risk Factors
Anyone can develop lung cancer, but the disease is much more common among smokers. In fact, smoking is the number one risk factor for lung cancer. Researchers estimate that as many as 90% of lung cancers could be prevented if people didn’t smoke cigarettes.
While smoking is an important risk factor for both SCLC and NSCLC, it seems to be linked more closely to SCLC. Nearly all cases of SCLC are due to smoking.
Otherrisk factorsfor lung cancer include:
Prevalence
Lung cancer is the second most common cancer type in both men and women and is the leading cause of cancer-related death.In 2024, an estimated 234,580 adults in the United States developed lung cancer.
NSCLC is the most common form of lung cancer, representing about 80% to 85% of all cases.SCLC is a rarer type, accounting for only about 13% to 15% of all lung cancers.
Lung Cancer in Older PeopleLung cancer mainly affects older people. The average age at diagnosis is 70 years old.
Lung Cancer in Older People
Lung cancer mainly affects older people. The average age at diagnosis is 70 years old.
Symptoms
Symptoms ofNSCLCand SCLC usually don’t show up until the cancer has spread in the body.
Some signs to watch out for include:
Diagnosis
Healthcare providers use different methods todiagnoselung cancer, including:
Healthcare providers usually rely on a biopsy to help them determine if the lung cancer is NSCLC or SCLC.
Stages
After a lung cancer diagnosis, your healthcare provider will try to determineyour cancer’s stage, or how much it has spread throughout your body.
Staging for NSCLC involves using a numeric system that ranges from 0-4. The lower the number, the less the cancer has spread.
Healthcare providers may also use a letter “T,” “N,” or “M” with a number or letter after them to describe the cancer. These letters stand for:
The staging system for SCLCs is typically less complex. It classifies the cancer into two main categories, which include:
Sometimes, the TNM staging method might also be used for SCLCs.
Staging Helps Providers Plan TreatmentStaging is an important step in the diagnostic process because it helps healthcare providers determine which treatment will work best for your case of lung cancer.
Staging Helps Providers Plan Treatment
Staging is an important step in the diagnostic process because it helps healthcare providers determine which treatment will work best for your case of lung cancer.
Treatment
The treatments you receive might depend on whether you have SCLC or NSCLC.
Other options for SCLC may include:
NSCLC is less aggressive than SCLC, but it’s also not often caught at an early stage.
Sometreatment optionsfor NSCLC include:
Outlook
Survival rates are different for SCLC and NSCLC. In general, a person with SCLC usually has a poorer outlook, but this depends on when the cancer is diagnosed, an individual’s overall health, and the treatments they receive.
According to the American Cancer Society, the five-year survival rate for all stages of NSCLC is 25%, while the five-year survival rate for all stages of SCLC is 7%.
Summary
Lung cancer is a complex disease that includes different types and subtypes. Non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer are the two main forms. While they share some similarities, distinct characteristics set them apart. Small cell lung cancer is usually more aggressive with a poorer outlook than non-small cell lung cancer.
A Word From Verywell
Being diagnosed with lung cancer can be scary, but arming yourself with information may help you fight the disease. Talk to your healthcare provider or oncologist about the type of lung cancer you have and how best to treat it. Remember that statistics are only statistics and don’t represent your individual case.
Frequently Asked QuestionsSCLC usually has a worse prognosis when compared to NSCLC. However, this isn’t always the case and depends on the stage of your cancer, your overall health, and the treatments you receive.If SCLC is diagnosed and treated early, it can be curable. Studies show a cure is achieved in about 20% to 25% of patients with limited-stage small cell lung cancer.Unfortunately, SCLC is usually found at a later stage, when it’s treatable but not curable.NSCLC can be cured if it’s found and treated at an early stage. Tens of thousands of people with NSCLC are cured each year in the United States.Even some people with advanced NSCLC canlive many yearsafter being diagnosed.The rate at which cancer grows varies from person to person. In general, it takes about four months for most lung cancers to double their size.
SCLC usually has a worse prognosis when compared to NSCLC. However, this isn’t always the case and depends on the stage of your cancer, your overall health, and the treatments you receive.
If SCLC is diagnosed and treated early, it can be curable. Studies show a cure is achieved in about 20% to 25% of patients with limited-stage small cell lung cancer.Unfortunately, SCLC is usually found at a later stage, when it’s treatable but not curable.
NSCLC can be cured if it’s found and treated at an early stage. Tens of thousands of people with NSCLC are cured each year in the United States.Even some people with advanced NSCLC canlive many yearsafter being diagnosed.
The rate at which cancer grows varies from person to person. In general, it takes about four months for most lung cancers to double their size.
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Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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