Majority of lung cancers; includes adenocarcinoma, squamous, large cell types
Expansion
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Purpose
Staged with computed tomography chest or abdomen and often positron emission tomography; prognosis better than small cell lung cancer
Clinical Context
Non-small cell lung cancer adenocarcinoma most common type now (even in smokers). Staging shows computed tomography, positron emission tomography, brain magnetic resonance imaging. Epidermal growth factor receptor or anaplastic lymphoma kinase mutations guide targeted therapy.
Related Terms
- Small cell lung cancer
- Lung cancer
Key Points
- Non-small cell lung cancer more common (85 percent of lung cancers); includes adenocarcinoma (peripheral) and squamous (central)