Large Cell Lung Cancer is a group of tumors, involving the Lings, whose cells are large in comparison to other cells and is a form of Non-small cell lung cancer.
Can also be called Large Cell Lung Carcinoma or LCLC.
They occur in approximately 10% of the cases of Lung Cancer
Typically these tumors do not fit into other categories and is therefore a diagnosis of exclusion.
These tumors are very aggressive and double cell numbers quickly.
4 main types account for over 90% of Lung Cancers
1. Squamous Cell Lung Carcinoma
2. Lung Adenocarcinoma
3. Large Cell Lung Carcinoma
4. Small Cell Lung Carcinoma
Symptoms:
- Cough
- Sputum [Blood and/or mucus]
- Shortness of Breath
- Wheezing
- Dyspnea
- Weight Loss
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Difficulty swallowing [Dysphagia]
- Asthenia – lack or loss of strength, weakness
- Seizures
- Change in voice
- Nausea
- Headache
Diagnosis
Chest X-ray
Chest CT
Bronchoscopy
PET Scan – a test to look for aggressively growing tumors/cells
Lung Biopsy
Stages
Can be broken down into 4 stages.
1.) Stage 1: Cancer is localized inside the lung. (Not spread into regional lymph nodes)
2.) Stage 2: Cancer has spread to lining of lungs or local lymph nodes (Often contained in the main Bronchus)
3.) Stage 3: Cancer has spread to tissues near the lungs.
4.) Stage 4: Cancer has spread to other parts of the body. (Metastasized)
Learn more about the Stages of Lung Cancer.
Treatment:
Surgery
Radiotherapy
Chemotherapy:
- Cisplatin (Platinol)
- Camptosar
- Camptothecin
- Carboplatin (Paraplatin)
- Epirubicin
- Etoposide
- Topotecan (Hycamtin)