How come non-small lung cancer not called large cell lung cancer?

Sub type: Large cell lung cancer is actually a subset of non small cell lung cancer, which behaves much more like small cell cancer than like other forms of non small cell cancer. I am sorry that the terminology is so confusing. , .

Small cell's unique: Most lung cancers are quite similar -- slow-growers, a fair chance of a cure with surgery if early, poor response to traditional chemotherapy. There are about a dozen common types. "Small-cell" is a unique type that grows very fast, melts initially on chemotherapy, and is thought to be never curable with surgery. All the others are still often lumped together.

There are dozens of cell types that make up the lung structure within the airways, blood vessels, support tissues, muscle cells, cartilage and more. All could become the origin of a cancerous change. They are not just big or small. The small cell label is a medical jargon for a specific cell type that became part of medical discussions.