LUNG CANCER DEFINITION

Lung cancer is a disease in which cancer cells grow in the lungs.

Cancer occurs when cells in the body (in this case lung cells) divide without control or order. Normally, cells divide in a regulated manner. If cells keep dividing uncontrollably when new cells are not needed, a mass of tissue forms, called a growth or tumor. The term cancer refers to malignant tumors, which can invade nearby tissues and can spread to other parts of the body. A benign tumor does not invade or spread.

Lung cancers are divided into two types:

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer – generally grows and spreads more slowly (This is the more common type of lung cancer.)

Small Cell Lung Cancer – generally grows more quickly and is more likely to spread to other parts of the body.