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Squamous Cell Lung Carcinoma: Differences from Other Lung Cancer Types
By Prashant Baghel
Think of your lungs as a system of roads. When something gets in the way of the main path, it makes things very hard. Lung cancer is one of these blockages. Squamous cell lung carcinoma is different from other types of lung cancer in terms of how and where it grows, how it spreads, and how it is treated.
We discuss squamous cell lung carcinoma in simple terms in this article, highlighting its differences from other types of lung cancer.
What is lung cancer with squamous cells?
This type of lung cancer is called squamous cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). It begins in the flat cells that line the lungs' airways. These are called squamous cells.
This type of cancer typically originates in the central part of the lungs, near the main airways. People who have smoked in the past are more likely to get it. Smoking is the most dangerous thing you can do to get this type of cancer.
Adenocarcinoma and large cell carcinoma are two other types of non-small cell lung cancers that are similar to this one.
What Makes Squamous Cell Carcinoma Different from Other Types of Lung Cancer
Adenocarcinoma vs. Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Adenocarcinoma typically originates in the peripheral regions of the lungs, whereas squamous cell carcinoma initiates in the central airways.
Adenocarcinoma is more common in people who don't smoke, while squamous cell lung carcinoma is more common in people who do smoke or used to smoke.
Adenocarcinoma frequently exhibits gene mutations that physicians can address with targeted medications. These mutations are not common in squamous cell carcinoma, so the treatment options may be different.
In many instances, individuals with adenocarcinoma may exhibit a marginally superior survival rate compared to those with squamous cell carcinoma, particularly when diagnosed at an early stage.
Large Cell Carcinoma vs. Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Large cell carcinoma is a type of NSCLC that is less common and more aggressive. It grows and spreads faster than squamous cell carcinoma.
When viewed under a microscope, a large cell carcinoma looks different and is harder to put into a group. Squamous cell carcinoma, on the other hand, has more recognisable features.
Squamous cell carcinoma usually stays in one place for a longer time, which gives doctors more chances to treat it early.
Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) vs. Squamous Cell Carcinoma
There is a completely different kind of lung cancer called small-cell lung cancer. It is very aggressive and spreads quickly.
Smoking is strongly linked to both squamous cell carcinoma and small cell cancer. But small cell cancer often responds quickly to treatment and then comes back quickly.
Squamous cell lung carcinoma, on the other hand, grows more slowly and can be treated with surgery in its early stages. There are very different ways to treat and plan for both types.
In short, the main differences are
These are the main differences:
Location: Squamous cell cancer starts in the middle of the lung, while adenocarcinoma and other types grow in the outer areas.
Smoking Link: The link between smoking and squamous cell cancer is stronger than in other types of cancer.
Mutations: In squamous cell carcinoma, mutations that can be targeted are rare.
Growth and Spread: Growth and spread are slower in squamous cell types than in large or small cell types.
Treatment Options: Some treatments for adenocarcinoma may not work on squamous cell carcinoma because certain gene mutations are not present.
Typical Signs of Squamous Cell Lung Carcinoma
This type of lung cancer can cause symptoms sooner than others because it grows near the central airways. Some of the most common signs are:
A cough that won't go away
- Coughing up blood
- Pain in the chest
- Can't catch your breath
- Wheezing
- Lung infections that happen a lot
- Tiredness
- Weight loss that can't be explained
These symptoms are not exclusive to squamous cell carcinoma; however, they are frequently more pronounced due to the tumor's central positioning within the lungs.
How to Find Out
To confirm squamous cell lung carcinoma, doctors use several tests:
Tests that use images, CT scans, and chest X-rays can help find the tumour.
Biopsy: A biopsy is when a small piece of the tumour is taken and looked at under a microscope.
Bronchoscopy: A camera is used during bronchoscopy to see inside the lungs and take tissue samples.
Lab Tests: Lab tests help find out what kind of cancer you have and rule out other illnesses.
Staging Tests: Doctors look for signs that the cancer has spread to lymph nodes or other parts of the body.
Finding out what kind of cancer you have is also part of the diagnosis. For example, keratinising or basaloid squamous cell carcinoma.
Choices for Treatment
The stage of the cancer, the person's overall health, and the location of the tumour all affect how it is treated. Some common treatments are:
Operation
If the tumour is found early enough, surgery to take out some or all of the affected lung may be an option.
Chemotherapy
Drugs are used in this treatment to kill cancer cells. It can be used before surgery to make the tumour smaller or after surgery to keep it from coming back.
Radiation Treatment
Radiation can help kill cancer cells, especially in people who can't have surgery.
Immunotherapy
This helps the immune system fight cancer. It is a newer treatment that has worked well for squamous cell lung cancer.
Therapy that targets specific things
Squamous cell carcinoma usually doesn't have gene mutations that work well with targeted drugs, unlike adenocarcinoma. But doctors still check for them, just in case.
Why it's important to find the right kind of lung cancer
It is very important to know what kind of lung cancer you have. Each type acts differently, reacts to different treatments, and has a different future. Squamous cell lung carcinoma presents unique challenges and necessitates a treatment plan specifically designed for its characteristics.
Doctors use this information to figure out which treatment will work best: surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or something else. It also helps us guess how the disease will get worse.
In conclusion, Oncare Cancer Hospital is the best place to get treatment for lung cancer.
Squamous cell lung carcinoma is a kind of lung cancer that is different from the rest. It starts in the central airways, is closely linked to smoking, and often has fewer treatment options than other types because there are no gene mutations that can be targeted. That's why it's so important to find out about it early and make a treatment plan that works for you.
If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with lung cancer, trust Oncare Cancer Hospital. Oncare has the best care for all types of lung cancer, including squamous cell lung carcinoma. They have expert doctors, cutting-edge technology, and a patient-centered approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it can be treated successfully with surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation if it is found early. The sooner it is found, the better the chances of getting better.
Smoking is the main reason. Other risks are breathing in secondhand smoke, air pollution, and being around harmful chemicals for a long time.
It is uncommon, but feasible. Most of the time, people who have smoked for a long time get these cases.
This depends on when the diagnosis is made. Cancer that is in its early stages has a much better chance of getting better than cancer that is in its later stages.
It grows more slowly than small-cell cancer, but it can still spread if you don't treat it. It's very important to get regular checkups and find out what's wrong early.
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