The staging of lung cancer is usually divided into two categories, small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer.
Small cell lung cancer, which is particularly closely associated with smoking, is more common in older men and in the central type. Because the cells are morphologically similar to small lymphocytes and shaped like the spike grains of oats, they were called oat cell carcinoma in the old days. Small cell lung cancer, which is of neuroendocrine origin, is highly malignant, grows rapidly, and can develop lymphatic and hematologic metastases very early. Although sensitive to radiation and chemotherapy, it can be rapidly resistant and has a poor prognosis.
Non-small cell carcinomas are classified as squamous, adenocarcinoma, and large cell carcinomas. The majority of these cancers originate in the larger bronchi. The common type is the central type. This type of cancer has different degrees of differentiation, slow growth rate and long course. It usually metastasizes first through lymphatic metastasis and bloodstream metastasis, which occurs later. Adenocarcinoma: The age of onset is generally lower than that of phosphoric and small cell lung cancer, and it is mostly peripheral type. It usually grows more slowly, but sometimes bloodstream metastasis occurs at an early stage, and lymphatic metastasis occurs later. Large cell carcinoma: It is less common, also associated with smoking, and is more common in older men, with the peripheral type. The masses tend to be large, and central necrosis is common. This type of cancer is less differentiated and has a poor prognosis.