Are There Different Kinds of Lung Cancer?

Senior Care Ardmore PA: Seniors and Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is, as you may have guessed, cancer that begins in the tissues of the lungs. It is the number one cause of cancer-related deaths. Although those who smoke are the most likely to get lung cancer, it also affects people who have never smoked. There are two main kinds of lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). When you first learn that someone you care about has lung cancer, whether it is one kind or another probably doesn’t seem to matter much. However, which kind of lung cancer your aging relative has is used to determine what kind of treatment they receive and their possible outcome.

Two Kinds of Lung Cancer
Which kind of lung cancer a person has is determined by the way the tumor cells look under a microscope. NSCLC is the most common form of lung cancer. Around 85 percent of lung cancer cases are NSCLC. Doctors further classify this kind of cancer into three sub-types based on the cells found in the tumor. Those subtypes are:

• Adenocarcinomas: 40 percent of NSCLC cases are adenocarcinomas. They begin in the outer parts of the lungs and tend to spread into the lymph nodes and other surrounding tissues.

• Large Cell Carcinomas: You may also hear doctors call these kinds of tumors undifferentiated carcinomas. They make up only 10 to 15 percent of all cases of lung cancer. It frequently invades the lymph nodes and other parts of the body.

• Squamous Cell Carcinomas: 25 to 30 percent of lung cancer patients have this kind of tumor. They usually occur in the center of the chest. These tumors can get very big and spread to the lymph nodes.

The other main kind of lung cancer is SCLC, which makes up around 10 to 15 percent of lung cancer diagnoses. WebMD describes it as “the most aggressive and rapidly growing of all the types.” It is highly associated with smoking and usually isn’t discovered until after it has spread.

How Senior Care Can Help

A diagnosis of lung cancer is difficult, but help is available. Your aging relative is going to need assistance to do many things while they undergo treatment. They may be unable to keep up with tasks around the house and have trouble running errands. Senior care can be there to help them live more comfortably and better manage their disease. Senior care providers can clean the house, cook meals, and do the laundry. A senior care provider can also drive your family member to their medical appointments and to run errands. Finally, a senior care provider can offer moral support and companionship through the treatment process.

If you or an aging loved-one are considering professional Senior Care in Ardmore, PA, talk to Unlimited Staffing Solutions. Specializing in Home and Community Based Support Waiver Services Since 2001. Please Call Us for Your Home Care Needs (215) 447-7133

Sources
https://www.webmd.com/lung-cancer/lung-cancer-types#1
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/lung-cancer.html
https://www.lungcancer.org/find_information/publications/163-lung_cancer_101/268-types_and_staging
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lung-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20374620