Lung Cancer

There are two types of lung cancer: non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer (depending on how the cells look under a microscope). Each type of lung cancer grows and spreads in different ways and is treated differently.

Non-small cell lung cancer is more common than small cell lung cancer, and it generally grows more slowly.  There are three main types of non-small cell lung cancer. They are named for the type of cells in which the cancer develops: squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma and large cell carcinoma.

Small cell lung cancer (sometimes called oat cell cancer) is less common than non-small cell lung cancer.  This type of lung cancer grows more quickly and is more likely to spread to other organs in the body.

The best way to prevent lung cancer is not to smoke, and to avoid people who do. If you already smoke, you should quit. You should also avoid breathing in second-hand smoke. Additionally, a good diet with lots of fruits and vegetables may also help prevent lung cancer.  It is important to note that some people who get lung cancer do not have any known risk factors, so it is not always possible to prevent all cases of this disease.

UHN Resources

UHN Brochures and Pamphlets

• Frequently Asked Questions about Lung Cancer
• Lung Biopsy
• Lung Cancer Web Sites
• What to Do When Receiving Radiation Therapy to the Chest Region

UHN Clinics or Centres

• Early Detection Cinic
• Lung Clinic
• Oncology Interactive Education Series

Related Web Sites

• Canadian Lung Association
  The Lung Association's chief purpose is to combat both disease and environmental threats to the lungs. Click on "Cancer of the Lungs" under Diseases A-Z for very general information about Lung Cancer.
• Cancer.gov Lung Cancer Home Page
  Cancer.gov is a service of the National Cancer Institute. This excellent site includes many resources including the following: Treatments, Clinical Trials, Causes, Testing, Coping, Statistics and much more.
• Dale Pray: Quit Smoking Cigarettes
  This page highlights an ex-smoker's (Dale) 27 year battle with tobacco addiction, and contains numerous links to quitting smoking resources. Of particular interest is the "Smokers Suck Because..." portion of the resource.
• Lung Cancer Canada
  Lung Cancer Canda is a charitable organization established in 2002 with the aim of providing awareness, support and education in Canada with respect to lung cancer. Lung Cancer Canada is made up of lung cancer patients and their family members, health care professionals, and private citizens.
• LungCancer.org
  This Web site is managed by a multidisciplinary group of health care professionals (including the Oncology Nursing Society and Cancer Care, Inc.) and patients with experience in lung cancer. This site provides information for patient and caregivers, health care professionals and the media.
• MEDLINEplus: Lung Cancer
  This site, by the National Library of Medicine (US), is a gateway to lung cancer resources. Some particularly useful aspects of this site are its links to Pictures/Diagrams and Dictionaries and Glossaries.
• Ontario Division - Canadian Cancer Society - Lung Cancer
  Provides a general document on lung cancer, including the following sub-divisions: What is lung cancer?, Causes of lung cancer?, Passive smoking, Detection and diagnosis, Diagnostic techniques, Treatment, and Future progress.