What's the difference between small cell and non-small cell lung cancer?

Clinical behavior: Small cell grows rapidly, and seems more susceptible to chemotherapy and radiation. Non-small cell actually refers to a number of different types that are usually less aggressive and less sensitive to chemotherapy. Non-small cell has a different staging and treatment algorithm compared to small cell. Small cell is almost never treated with surgery.

Clinical, molecular: & therapeutic. Both caused by tobacco 90 -100%; molecular too complex for here. Chemotherapy mainstay in sclc, + rt in the limited kind, and proven role to prevent brain relapse; surgery in early stage of nsclc, chemo/rt when mediastinum infested; chemo alone for stage iv.

Both Bad: Small cell cancer often spread early in the course of disease and is treated with chemotherapy. Early non-small cell carcinomas may be localized to the lung and be treatable with surgery and radiation.

Everything: Small cell lung cancer is almost completely different than non small cell- the only thing the same is that it is located on the lung and may give the same symptoms. They are different in molecular biology level, they look and behave differently. Small cell behaves more agressive- like systemic disease even from the first presentation; have different treatment and prognosis .D/w your oncologist.