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Non-endocrine lung cancer belongs to a heterogeneous group of tumors, their source is considered to be neuroendocrine cells that are found in any part of the body.
Classification of non-endocrine lung cancer
Experts divide this disease into several types, namely:
Typical carcinoid, which is characterized by a small mitotic number and a high level of differentiation;
Atypical carcinoid has a high mitotic index, on the order of 10/10 HPF;
Large cell neuroendocrine lung cancer is difficult to distinguish from the previous form. Its features are necrosis and a large mitotic level;
SCLC – small cell carcinoma – the most poorly differentiated lung tumor of a neuroendocrine nature, which is also called oat cell. Carcinoma and small cell carcinoma have the most widespread necrosis.
Methods of treatment of large cell cancer
Doctors use two main methods of dealing with such an ailment:
Surgical – resection of a part of the lung;
Combined – chemotherapy in combination with radiation therapy. Survival of patients as a result of such treatment is much higher, but the prognosis for neuroendocrine cancer with any treatment methods leaves much to be desired.
Small cell neuroendocrine lung cancer
It is possible to notice the manifestation of the disease with fluorography. The following symptoms may be the reason for it:
Prolonged bouts of coughing;
Shortness of breath associated with difficult intake of air through the bronchi;
Sudden attacks of fever;
Increasing chest pain when coughing;
Bleeding in the lung caused by the penetration of the tumor into nearby organs.
Such symptoms of a malignant form of neuroendocrine lung cancer are often accompanied by a sharp loss of body weight against the background of lack of appetite, fatigue, even with little physical effort.
Diagnosis of a tumor in the lung
When the slightest signs of the disease appear, people, especially smokers, need to carry out diagnostic procedures:
Fluorography;
General blood analysis;
Bronchoscopy;
biopsy;
Radiation diagnostics – i.e. fluoroscopy, magnetic resonance therapy, positive emission tomography.
The prognosis of neuroendocrine lung cancer is based on how soon a person noticed the symptoms that appeared, how correctly the diagnosis was made, and how soon treatment was started.