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What is small cell lung cancer. Why does small cell lung cancer develop and how does it manifest? Central small cell cancer of the left lung, stage 4

Accounts for approximately 20% of the total number of diseases. Over the past few years, the number of patients has decreased. This is partly due to the fact that the composition of cigarettes and the air inhaled have changed. The disease in most cases occurs from smoking.

General information about the disease

Small cell refers to malignant tumors accompanied by an aggressive course and metastasis. The metastatic process is very active. Already on early stages diseases in the lymph nodes, metastases can be detected. 95-100% of the damage occurs in the intrathoracic nodes, 20-45% in the liver, 17-55% in the adrenal glands, 30-45% in the bones, and up to 20% in the brain.

The choice of oncology treatment method depends on the type of metastasis. Statistics show that 90% of those sick are men. The age of patients ranges from 38 to 65 years. The patient must live with this diagnosis from one to 5 years. In medicine, there are 2 types of small cell cancer:

Mixed carcinoma.
Small cell carcinoma.

Small cell to other tissues of the body. It is called oat cell because of the specificity of the species cellular structure. Lung adenocarcinoma is characterized by slow growth, but is still considered one of the most aggressive forms of cancer. Small cell cancer called differently - a poorly differentiated neuroendocrine type of carcinoma.

Most often, this disease belongs to the first type. There is also a two-stage classification of pathology:

A localized process that is limited to one side of the lung. As a rule, the disease is at stages 1, 2 or 3.
A common form of oncology (the disease is at stage 4).

There are a number of factors that provoke the appearance malignant disease:

Tobacco smoking. The likelihood of the disease occurring is influenced by the age of the smoker, the number of cigarettes smoked per day, the quality of tobacco, and the time of smoking. Even if a person gives up smoking, he will still remain at risk. There are 2 times more smokers with SCLC than non-smoking patients. Those who smoke starting from adolescence, suffer from the disease 32 times more often.
Heredity. There may be a specific gene in a person’s blood that causes lung cancer. The risk of developing the disease is especially high in those whose parents or close relatives had small cell cancer.
Environmental factors. Industrial waste and heavy metals enter the body with the air, thereby causing harm to health.
Harmful working conditions. People who have long-term contact with toxic substances, such as nickel, asbestos, arsenic, chromium, suffer from cancer more often than representatives of other professions.

Signs of pathology

Oncological process in in this case is specific in that it is practically asymptomatic until the tumor is localized in the lungs. The course of the disease is characterized general symptoms characteristic of a wide range of diseases. Among the symptoms characteristic of the early stage of the disease are:

presence of cough;
hoarse breathing;
pain in the chest area.

Later symptoms of the disease include:

coughing up blood;
headaches;
back pain;
hoarseness in the voice;
difficulty swallowing.

Most characteristic feature SCLC is considered persistent cough which is difficult to contain. Later he is accompanied painful sensations in the chest and coughs up bloody discharge. A specific sign of SCLC is the presence of shortness of breath along with a cough. This is due to impaired functioning in the vessels and capillaries of the lungs.

Stages 2 and 3 are characterized by the appearance of fever, increased body temperature, which is difficult to bring down. Pneumonia can be a harbinger of cancer. Bleeding from the lungs is an unfavorable symptom that indicates that the tumor has grown in pulmonary vessels. This is a sign of advanced disease.

The enlargement of the tumor leads to neighboring organs also begin to suffer due to oppression. As a result, a person may experience pain in the back, limbs, swelling in the arms and face, and hiccups that cannot be stopped. Metastases affecting organs give additional symptoms.

If the liver is affected, jaundice and pain in the ribs may appear. The metastatic process in the brain leads to numbness of the limbs up to paralysis. Metastases to the bone are accompanied by aching joints. In addition, a person begins to rapidly lose weight, and a feeling of fatigue and lack of strength appears.

Diagnosis of the disease

Before directly diagnosing cancer, the doctor examines the patient, listens to the lungs, and collects anamnesis. Among the procedures aimed at, we can highlight:

scintigraphy of skeletal bones;
x-ray of the area chest;
complete blood count;
computed tomography;
liver function analysis;
magnetic resonance imaging;
positron emission tomography;
sputum analysis;
thoracentesis.

Taking into account the features clinical course To mandatory methods examinations (fibre-optic bronchoscopy, computed tomography lungs, ultrasound examination regional zones, abdominal cavity and retroperitoneal space) of patients with a morphologically confirmed diagnosis include radionuclide diagnostics of skeletal bones, laboratory test bone marrow and brain tomography.

Treatment methods

IN official medicine Small cell lung cancer is treated using the following methods:

Surgical intervention. This type of treatment is only indicated for early stages diseases. After the operation, the patient undergoes chemotherapy. For patients in this group, the predicted life expectancy is more than 5 years (40% of patients).
Radiation therapy. With successful use of the method, the tumor regresses in 70-80% of patients, but life expectancy does not increase if it is used independently.
. This method is not as effective in treating small cell lung cancer. Only 30-45% of patients report improvements.

Treatment may vary depending on the form of the disease. For localized cancer, treatment effectiveness is observed in 65-90% of patients. Life expectancy is more than 2 years.

If the patient has a localized form of cancer, he may be prescribed radiation therapy with chemotherapy. When the patient shows improvement, he is additionally given radiation to the brain. With a combined treatment method, the two-year survival rate is 40-45%, and the five-year survival rate is 25%. For patients suffering from an advanced form of SCLC, chemotherapy is performed; radiation therapy is done only on the recommendation of a doctor. The effectiveness of this method is about 70%.

To the question of how long people live with this disease, the answer is ambiguous. If the patient started therapy on initial stage, its survival rate can reach 5 years. Treatment for small cell lung cancer depends on the stage of the disease, its form, and the condition of the patient. The choice of method is main part, which determines the success of therapy as a whole.

Lung cancer - malignant tumor, who took first place in oncological diseases among men. Big problem This pathology is almost impossible to diagnose at an early stage due to its asymptomatic course or disguise as other diseases.

Features of the development of pathology

Based on the structure of cancer cells, the disease is divided into two types.

Small cell lung cancer is an aggressive type of tumor that expands very quickly and metastasizes to neighboring organs already at initial stages. Occupies about 20% of pathological manifestations. According to the forecast, without surgical and effective treatment average duration life at the non-common stage is 1.5 years and only six months at the widespread stage.
Non-small cell lung cancer is more common and develops much more slowly. Divided into three types:

squamous: slow growth malignant squamous lamellar cells, low percentage appearance of early metastases. Survival rate in 15% of cases;
adenocarcinoma spreads through the blood because it is formed from glandular cells. Survival rate is 20%, with surgical intervention – 80%;
large cell can be of several types. The average survival rate is 15%. Depending on the size of the tumor, its prevalence, and the presence of metastases, four stages of pathology progression are distinguished.

Most often, symptoms of the disease do not appear in the initial stages. Later they can be expressed through loss of body weight, appetite, decreased performance, fatigue, and temperature changes. There are specific signs, indicating the progression of the pathology:

cough for no reason, which may become more frequent when physical activity, staying in the cold, in a horizontal position of the body. The tumor grows in the area of the bronchial tree and irritates the mucous membrane;
A cough streaked with blood may be a sign of tuberculosis. Often it is this manifestation that forces patients to see a doctor;
shortness of breath occurs because the lung is inflamed, bronchial obstruction occurs;
painful sensations in the chest area. This symptom indicates that the disease is advanced - the tumor has grown into the serous tissue and bone.

Lifespan and survival

Small cell lung cancer at the primary stage has positive prognosis. This is especially true for the asymptomatic period of tumor development. Once symptoms appear, the pathology cannot be completely cured; the patient must constantly undergo treatment and be under the supervision of a doctor. The prognosis is more favorable when the symptoms of the pathology appear less than three months.

Small cell lung cancer is very dangerous disease, people are interested in how long they live with this diagnosis. The numerical coefficient is not very reassuring: 25% of patients live one year, 8% live more than five years.

Important! Percentages are imprecise data. Each person's body is individual. With this diagnosis, the main thing is to follow all the doctor’s instructions, stick to the diet and not lose a positive attitude.

The prognosis for non-small cell lung cancer is about 50% survival in the first stage and 25% in the second.

With more later forms If the pathology develops, surgery is not possible; chemotherapy or radiation therapy is used. This treatment achieves a five-year survival rate of 4–8% of patients. Small cell lung cancer is very dangerous due to its rapid progression and tendency to early metastasis. Forecast of this type also depends on the stage of tumor progression:

the highest and most positive indicators are when the malignant process has not spread beyond the breast;
if it is possible to achieve complete regression of the tumor and prevent metastasis, then life expectancy increases significantly;
treatment is more effective when the patient’s health condition is normal, without significant clinical symptoms, hematological and biochemical changes.

Survival statistics at different stages

At the initial stage, cancer is detected extremely rarely. Clinical manifestations There is practically no pathology. Minor health problems are often attributed to other pathologies. The first stage of cancer is amenable to basic methods of therapy and the patient can be cured. A tumor of up to five centimeters is concentrated in a certain segment of the lung/bronchial region and has no signs of metastasis.

There are two forms of first stage cancer:

1A – survival rate with this diagnosis is about forty percent;
1B – the tumor is slightly larger, the survival rate is 25%. The problem is aggravated by the fact that only 15% of patients are diagnosed with the disease.

Therefore, it is worth paying due attention to timely medical examinations, especially if the person is at risk.

In the second stage, symptoms similar to those of colds: cough, elevated temperature body, shortness of breath. Later, pain appears in the chest area. What to pay attention to:

persistent cough that cannot be treated by medication;
chest pain, especially when deep breath;
wheezing and shortness of breath;
weight loss, loss of appetite;
the presence of prolonged pulmonary diseases that recur periodically;
lymph nodes increase in size;
the skin turns yellow.

Stage 2 small cell lung cancer has a survival prognosis of 18‒46%.

The third stage of pathology is complicated possible relapses. Cancer cells spread very quickly, the tumor size is more than seven centimeters. The prognosis for stage 3 small cell lung cancer depends on the form of the pathology:

at the first stage, the tumor affects neighboring lymph nodes and organs: diaphragm, trachea, bronchi. Five-year survival rate – 14%;
in the second degree, the tumor affects the opposite side of the sternum and can spread to the cardiac membranes. The survival rate in this case is less than 9%.

The fourth stage of the disease is the most severe: metastases have penetrated into adjacent organs. Life expectancy will directly depend on the type of neoplasm. The symptoms at this stage are very clear:

severe cough streaked with blood;
excruciating pain in the sternum;
difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, failure heart rate;
Digestive problems.

The most effective method is surgery; it is often combined with radiation and chemotherapy. Small cell lung cancer stage 4 has an extremely disappointing prognosis. Education is practically untreatable. But modern medicine continues research and every year drugs appear that alleviate the condition and well-being of patients.

In the structure of oncological diseases, lung cancer is one of the most common pathologies. It is based on malignant degeneration of the epithelium lung tissue, air exchange disturbance. The disease is characterized by high mortality. The main risk group consists of smoking men aged 50-80 years. Peculiarity modern pathogenesis– decrease in age primary diagnosis, increasing the likelihood of lung cancer in women.

Small cell cancer is a malignant tumor that has the most aggressive course and widespread metastasis. This form accounts for about 20-25% of all types. Many scientific experts regard this type tumors, as a systemic disease, in the early stages of which are almost always present in regional lymph nodes. , suffer from this type of tumor most often, but the percentage of cases is growing significantly. Almost all patients wear enough severe form cancer, this is associated with rapid growth tumors and widespread metastasis.

Small cell lung cancer

Causes of small cell lung cancer

In nature, there are many reasons for the development malignant neoplasm in the lungs, but there are basic ones that we encounter almost every day:

smoking;
radon exposure;
pulmonary asbestosis;
viral infection;
dust exposure.

Clinical manifestations of small cell lung cancer

Symptoms of small cell lung cancer:

a cough of a prolonged nature, or a new cough with changes in the patient’s usual cough;
lack of appetite;
weight loss;
general malaise, fatigue;
shortness of breath, pain in the chest and lungs;
voice change, hoarseness (dysphonia);
pain in the spine and bones (occurs with bone metastases);
epilepsy attacks;
Lung cancer, stage 4 - speech impairment occurs and severe headaches appear.

Grades of small cell lung cancer

Stage 1 - the tumor size is up to 3 cm in diameter, the tumor has affected one lung. There is no metastasis.
Stage 2 – the size of the tumor in the lung is from 3 to 6 cm, blocks the bronchus and grows into the pleura, causing atelectasis;
Stage 3 - the tumor rapidly spreads to neighboring organs, its size has increased from 6 to 7 cm, and atelectasis of the entire lung occurs. Metastases in neighboring lymph nodes.
Stage 4 small cell lung cancer is characterized by spread malignant cells to distant organs human body and causes symptoms such as:

headaches;
hoarseness or loss of voice altogether;
general malaise;
loss of appetite and sharp decline in weight;
back pain, etc.

Diagnosis of small cell lung cancer

Despite all the clinical examinations, history taking and listening to the lungs, high-quality testing is also necessary, which is carried out using methods such as:

skeletal scintigraphy;
chest x-ray;
expanded, clinical analysis blood;
computed tomography (CT);
liver function tests;
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
positron emission tomography (PET);
sputum analysis (cytological examination to detect cancer cells);
thoracentesis (sampling of fluid from the chest cavity around the lungs);
– most common method diagnosing a malignant neoplasm. It is carried out in the form of removing a particle of a fragment of the affected tissue for further examination under a microscope.

There are several ways to perform a biopsy:

bronchoscopy in combination with biopsy;
carried out using CT;
endoscopic ultrasound with biopsy;
mediastinoscopy in combination with biopsy;
open lung biopsy;
pleural biopsy;
videothoracoscopy.

Treatment of small cell lung cancer

Chemotherapy occupies the most important place in the treatment of small cell. Without appropriate treatment for lung cancer, the patient dies 5-18 weeks after diagnosis. Polychemotherapy helps to increase the mortality rate to 45–70 weeks. Use it as a independent method therapy, and in combination with surgical intervention or radiation therapy.

Purpose this treatment, is complete remission, which must be confirmed by bronchoscopic methods, biopsy and bronchoalveolar lavage. As a rule, the effectiveness of treatment is assessed 6-12 weeks after the start of therapy, and based on these results, the likelihood of cure and the patient’s life expectancy can be assessed. Most favorable prognosis in those patients who achieved complete remission. This group includes all patients whose life expectancy exceeds 3 years. If the tumor has decreased by 50%, and there is no metastasis, it is possible to talk about partial remission. Life expectancy is correspondingly shorter than in the first group. For tumors that cannot be treated and are actively progressing, the prognosis is poor.

After a statistical study, the effectiveness of chemotherapy was revealed and is about 70%, while in 20% of cases complete remission is achieved, which gives survival rates close to those of patients with a localized form.

Limited stage

At this stage, the tumor is located within one lung; nearby lungs may also be involved. lymph nodes.

Treatment methods used:

combined: chemo+radiation therapy followed by prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCR) during remission;
chemotherapy with or without PCO, for patients who have deteriorating respiratory function;
surgical resection with adjuvant therapy for patients with stage 1;
The combined use of chemotherapy and thoracic radiotherapy is the standard approach for patients with limited-stage, small cell LC.

According to clinical trial statistics, combination treatment compared to chemotherapy without radiation therapy, increases the 3-year survival prognosis by 5%. Drugs used: platinum and etoposide. Prognostic indicators for life expectancy are 20-26 months and a 2-year survival rate of 50%.

Ineffective ways to increase your forecast:

increasing the dose of drugs;
effect of additional types of chemotherapy drugs.

The duration of the chemotherapy course is not defined, but, nevertheless, the duration of the course should not exceed 6 months.

Question about radiation therapy: Many studies show its benefits during 1-2 cycles of chemotherapy. The duration of the course of radiation therapy should not exceed 30-40 days.

Maybeapplication of standard radiation courses:

1 time per day for 5 weeks;
2 or more times a day for 3 weeks.

Hyperfractionated thoracic radiotherapy is considered preferable and results in a better prognosis.

Older patients (65-70 years old) tolerate treatment much worse; the treatment prognosis is much worse, since they respond rather poorly to radiochemotherapy, which in turn manifests itself in low effectiveness and major complications. Currently, the optimal therapeutic approach for elderly patients with small cell cancer has not been developed.

Patients who have achieved remission tumor process, are candidates for prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCR). Research results indicate a significant reduction in the risk of metastases in the brain, which is 60% without the use of PCO. PCO improves the prognosis of 3-year survival from 15% to 21%. Often, survivors experience impairments in neurophysiological function, but these impairments are not associated with undergoing PCO.

Extensive stage

The tumor spreads beyond the lung in which it originally appeared.

Standard therapy methods:

combination chemotherapy with or without prophylactic cranial irradiation;
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Note! The use of increased doses of chemotherapy drugs remains an open question.

For limited stage, in case of a positive response to chemotherapy, extensive stage small cell lung cancer, prophylactic cranial irradiation is indicated. The risk of metastases in the central nervous system within 1 year is reduced from 40% to 15%. No significant deterioration in health was detected after PCO.

Combined radiochemotherapy does not improve the prognosis compared with chemotherapy, but thoracic irradiation is advisable for palliative care distant metastases.

Patients diagnosed with an advanced stage have a deteriorating health status, which complicates aggressive therapy. Conducted clinical studies did not reveal an improvement in survival prognosis when reducing drug doses or switching to monotherapy, but, nevertheless, the intensity in this case should be calculated from an individual assessment of the patient’s health status.

Disease prognosis

As mentioned earlier, small cell lung cancer is one of the most aggressive forms everyone The prognosis of the disease and how long patients live depends directly on the treatment of lung cancer. A lot depends on the stage of the disease and what type it is. There are two main types of lung cancer - small cell and non-small cell.

Small cell lung cancer affects smokers; it is less common, but spreads very quickly, forming metastases and affecting other organs. It is more sensitive to chemical and radiation therapy.

Life expectancy in the absence of appropriate treatment ranges from 6 to 18 weeks, and the survival rate reaches 50%. With the use of appropriate therapy, life expectancy increases from 5 to 6 months. Most worst prognosis in patients with a 5-year illness period. Approximately 5-10% of patients remain alive.

Informative video

Oncological pathologies are widespread throughout the world. The incidence of cancer is increasing every year. This is due to the fact that methods for diagnosing oncological pathologies have now significantly improved. One of the most common forms is small cell lung cancer. Around the world, millions of people die from this disease every year. The question of how long people live with lung cancer is very relevant. Doctors for a long time trying to find a cure for cancer pathologies. IN modern times Oncologists have made great strides in this area. These achievements are mainly due to early diagnosis diseases. In addition, treatment methods are constantly being improved.
Types of small cell lung cancer
Like all lung cancers, there are different types. The classification is based on the radiological forms and types of cells from which the tumor is formed. Depending on the morphology, there are 2 types of oncological processes. It occurs more often and has a more favorable course. small cell is characterized by rapid metastasis. Found in more in rare cases. Also, this disease can occur in a localized (local) and widespread form.
Depending on where exactly the tumor is located, the following types are distinguished:
1. Central cancer. It is characterized by the fact that the tumor is located in large and segmental bronchi. Most often, this pathology is difficult to diagnose.
2. Peripheral cancer. The oncological process develops in the lung tissue itself.
3. Apical cancer. It also hits lung tissue. This variety is identified in separate group, since it differs in clinical picture(grows into blood vessels shoulder girdle, neck).
4. Cavity lung cancer.
5. Atypical and metastatic forms.
6. Pneumonia-like tumor.
What kind of disease is small cell lung cancer?
This type of cancer occurs in 25% of cases. It is classified as an aggressive form due to its rapid spread in lymphatic system. When cancer is suspected in smokers, the diagnosis is often small cell lung cancer. Life expectancy with this disease primarily depends on the stage of the process. Also matter individual characteristics body and treatment tolerance. The malignancy of this type of cancer is due to the fact that it arises from undifferentiated cells. Such a tumor seems to “seed” the pulmonary parenchyma over a large area, making it difficult to detect the primary focus.
Etiology of small cell carcinoma
Like any oncological pathology, small cell lung cancer does not arise just like that. Atypical cells begin to multiply due to several predisposing factors. The main cause of small cell cancer is smoking. There is also a connection between morbidity and exposure to the body harmful substances(heavy metals, arsenic). The likelihood of developing cancer increases in older people who have a high smoking index (tobacco abuse for many years). Predisposing factors include chronic diseases lungs, including tuberculosis, COPD, obstructive bronchitis. The risk of developing small cell cancer is increased among people who have constant contact with dust particles. With a combination of factors such as smoking, chronic diseases and occupational hazards the likelihood of a tumor appearing is very high. In addition, the reasons for the development of oncological processes include a decrease in immune defense body and chronic stress.
Stages of small cell lung cancer
The question of how long people live with lung cancer can only be answered by knowing the stage of the disease. It depends on the size oncological process and the extent of spread to other organs. Like most tumors, lung cancer has 4 stages. In addition, there is also the initial phase of the disease. In another way it is called “precancer”. This phase is characterized by the fact that small cell elements are located only on inner shell lungs.
The first stage of cancer is characterized by a tumor size of up to 3 cm. In this case, nearby lymph nodes are not damaged. Healthy lung tissue is located around the tumor process.
Second stage. There is an increase in size (up to 7 cm). The lymph nodes remain intact. However, the tumor grows into the pleura and bronchi.
Third stage. Characterized by large sizes oncological process. Cancer grows into the lymph nodes of the chest, vessels of the neck and mediastinum. The tumor can also spread to the tissue of the pericardium, trachea, and esophagus.
The fourth stage is characterized by the appearance of metastases in other organs (liver, bones, brain).
Clinical picture of small cell lung cancer
Clinical manifestations of the disease depend on the stage of small cell lung cancer. At the initial stages, the pathology is very difficult to diagnose, since there are practically no symptoms. The first signs of cancer are observed in the second stage of the disease. These include: increased shortness of breath, changes in the nature of cough (in patients with COPD), chest pain. In some cases, blood may appear in the sputum. The changes that occur in the third stage depend on where the tumor has grown. When the heart is involved in the process, symptoms such as pain, arrhythmias, tachy- or bradycardia appear. If the tumor affects the pharynx and esophagus, swallowing problems and choking occur. Terminal stage characterized by general weakness, enlarged lymph nodes, low-grade fever and weight loss.
Small cell lung cancer: life expectancy with this diagnosis
Unfortunately, this disease progresses very quickly. The life expectancy of patients depends on when exactly it is diagnosed terrible diagnosis- "small cell lung cancer". The prognosis of the disease is unfavorable. This is especially true for patients with stages 3 and 4 of the oncological process. At initial forms Small cell cancer is also difficult to treat. However, sometimes it is possible to delay tumor growth. It is impossible to accurately determine how long a patient has left to live. It depends on the person’s body and how quickly the cancer develops. Five-year survival rate for small cell lung tumors is 5-10%.
Oncology center (Moscow): cancer treatment
If the stage of the disease allows, then the cancer must be treated. Removal of the tumor and therapy will help not only prolong the patient’s life, but also alleviate his suffering. For effective treatment should be found qualified specialist and a good cancer center. Moscow is considered one of the cities where medicine is highly developed high level. In particular, this applies to oncology. New treatment methods are being developed here, clinical trials. There are several regional oncology clinics and hospitals in Moscow. The most significant centers are Blokhin. In these oncology clinics available the latest equipment for treatment, work the best specialists countries. Scientific experience is widely used abroad.
Small cell lung cancer: treatment
Treatment of small cell lung cancer is carried out depending on the growth pattern, size and stage of the tumor process. The main method is chemotherapy. It allows you to slow down the growth of the tumor, increasing the patient's life expectancy by months and years. Chemotherapy can be used at all stages of the oncological process, with the exception of the terminal phase. In this case, the patient’s condition should be relatively satisfactory and not accompanied by other severe pathologies. Small cell lung cancer can be localized. In this case, chemotherapy is combined with surgical treatment and the radiation method.

Small cell lung cancer is a malignant tumor. The disease is accompanied by general clinical severe course, the formation of metastases. They quickly spread throughout the body and are not susceptible to full treatment. According to statistics, multicellular cancer accounts for about 25% of all known types of lung cancer. Life expectancy depends on various factors.

General characteristics

According to experts, multicellular cancer is systemic disease. Already in the first stages of the disease, metastases begin to develop in the lymph nodes. They affect from 90% of the nodes inside the chest, up to 15% of the liver, up to 55% of the adrenal glands, up to 45% bone tissue and up to 22% of the brain. The degree of spread of metastases significantly affects how long patients with diagnosed lung cancer live.

According to research, this form occurs in 18% of patients. The vast majority of them are men. The disease is most often diagnosed in patients aged 40 to 60 years. But small cell cancer also develops in people in more at a young age. Without proper treatment, doctors' prognosis is disappointing.

The disease does not manifest itself until a tumor forms in the lungs. Tumors cause symptoms that make it very difficult to recognize cancer. Patients complain of hoarse breathing, cough, and chest pain. On late stages appear when coughing blood clots. In the most severe cases, when metastases have spread to neighboring organs, signs of cancer may include:
- Headache
- Discomfort when swallowing food
- Back pain
- Hoarseness of voice.
When recognizing lung cancer special meaning takes place in the process of metastasis formation. Based on the data, a treatment regimen is determined. To diagnose the disease, a tomography of the brain and chest area is performed, followed by an examination of the bone tissue.

Types of small cell lung cancer

Cellular lung cancer is divided into two types:
1. Small cell carcioma. Refers to oncological diseases with unfavorable prognosis. This form is characterized by extensive metastases and rapid and aggressive development. Combined chemotherapy is the only treatment option for small cell carcioma.
2. Combined small cell carcinoma. It is characterized by the presence of symptoms of squamous cell or oat cell carcinoma, as well as signs of adenocarcioma.
Depending on the type of disease, the doctor determines the necessary diagram therapy. In addition, the patient’s life expectancy depends on the form of development.

Classification

Scientists identify five forms, which differ depending on the location of the tumor.
1. Pneumonia-like cancer. Before contacting an oncologist, he is treated with antibiotics. The neoplasm occupies most of the right or left lung and is not distributed in a node.
2. Atypical forms. These include: brain, bone and liver. They create metastases, but not the tumor itself.
1. Metastatic formations. They are formed from a tumor of another organ and reduce its level of performance. Metastases grow up to 10 cm and lead to death from dysfunction internal organs. The initial formation cannot be identified in all cases.
When the first symptoms appear, it is not always possible to correctly diagnose the disease. In many cases, patients begin treatment with antibiotics or other drugs because they suspect another disease. People usually contact an oncologist for more than late stages when the cancer has spread to a large part of the organ.

Stages
1. Stage 1 lung cancer. The neoplasm reaches 3 cm in diameter. It is located in one lobe of the bronchus. No metastases are observed in neighboring lymph nodes.
2. Multicellular lung cancer stage 2. The tumor grows up to 6 cm. It grows into the pleura, causing loss of airiness and blocking the bronchi.
3. Lung cancer stage 3. The neoplasm spreads to neighboring organs and grows up to 7 cm. Metastases penetrate the lymph nodes.
4. Small cell lung cancer stage 4. Cancer cells attack large blood vessels and heart. Signs of the disease become more pronounced. Patients most often complain of:
How long the patient will live depends on the stage of development. Often, patients long time do not seek help from a specialist and metastases spread to other organs, which complicates the treatment process and significantly reduces the patient’s life expectancy.

Forecast

If treatment for lung cancer is not started during treatment, the disease ends in 100% of cases. fatal. The life expectancy of patients directly depends on the degree of spread of the tumor. The method of treatment is also of particular importance. When a patient refuses therapy, the doctors' prognosis is not encouraging. They live with this disease for no more than 4 months.

Without treatment, 90% of patients die in the first two years after the onset of the disease. But the chances of survival increase significantly when the tumor shrinks during treatment. When remission occurs within a short period of time, the prognosis is quite favorable.

It is very important to prevent the development of lung cancer. To do this, you need to quit smoking and undergo examination once a year. You also need to regularly ventilate the apartment, carry out wet cleaning and, if possible, avoid contact with asbestos.