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An Overview Of Large Cell Lung Carcinoma (LCLC)
Large cell lung carcinoma is a common type of lung cancer that may spread rapidly. An early diagnosis can help improve treatment outcomes.
There are many forms of lung cancer, but each has its own characteristics.
Large cell lung carcinoma (LCLC) is one form of non-small cell lung cancer that tends to grow more quickly and spread more aggressively than some other forms.
LCLC is a catch-all diagnosis for large cell lung cancers that can't be classified into other specific subgroups.
In this article, learn about the differences between small and large cell carcinomas in the lung, how LCLC is diagnosed and treated, and what to expect if you receive this diagnosis.
LCLC is a type of cancer that affects the lungs. It can form anywhere in the lung but is more common on the outer edges.
Non-small cell carcinomas, like LCLC, are the most common form of lung cancer, making up 80% to 85% of all lung cancers.
There are three major types of non-small cell carcinomas:
AdenocarcinomaAdenocarcinoma is the most common type of lung cancer and is classified as a non-small cell lung cancer. It usually begins in the outer sections of the lung. It's the type of lung cancer most often found in nonsmokers.
Adenocarcinoma makes up about 40% of all non-small cell lung cancers.
Large cell carcinomaThis type of lung cancer is named so because of its large, abnormal-looking cells. These cells can be found throughout the lungs. They also tend to grow more quickly and spread faster than other forms of non-small cell lung cancers.
LCLC makes up 10% to 15% of all non-small cell lung cancers.
Squamous cell carcinomaSquamous cell carcinoma is another large cell carcinoma that is sometimes referred to as epidermoid carcinoma. This type of non-small cell lung cancer usually begins in the middle structures of the lung, like the bronchi. Squamous cell carcinomas make up about one-quarter of all non-small cell lung cancers.
Other forms of lung cancerOutside of LCLC, there are several other forms of lung cancer. These include:
Despite their unique qualities, LCLCs and other forms of non-small cell lung cancers share the same symptoms, which may include:
Many cancer symptoms are fairly vague. A cough, wheezing, or loss of appetite can appear with many conditions. This is why many cases of lung cancer aren't detected in the early stages. This can delay diagnosis and mean that cancers aren't detected until they're already at a later stage.
Seek emergency care if you experience the following symptoms:
These symptoms can lead to medical emergencies and affect your ability to breathe. They require immediate medical assessment and treatment.
Ideally, non-small cell lung cancers are diagnosed in the early stages, when there are more and better treatment options.
However, since many symptoms are common to other conditions, often a diagnosis isn't made until the later stages of non-small cell lung cancer.
If you're at high risk of developing lung cancer, such as if you smoke or work around airborne chemicals, annual screenings can help your doctor make a diagnosis early.
You can take this free quiz from the American Lung Association to see whether you're at high risk.
Annual screenings are done through imaging technologies like low dose CT scans. They are recommended for people at high risk between 55 and 80 years old. Many insurance companies will cover the cost of the scan.
If you're not in a high risk group, your doctor will ask you about your medical history, lifestyle, and family history. They will also perform a physical exam and may order a chest X-ray or CT scan if they suspect lung cancer.
Your doctor may also choose to test fluids or cells from your lungs more directly by performing a biopsy. This can be done using a number of procedures, such as:
A biopsy can help your doctor examine the specific biomarkers of the cancer to target treatment and to better understand the stage. Biomarkers can help doctors determine which treatment is best for the type of cancer you have.
Many things can cause lung cancer, but smoking is by far the greatest risk factor.
Roughly 80% of lung cancer deaths are attributed to smoking, reports the American Cancer Society.
Other risk factors include:
Here are some of the main types of treatment for non-small cell lung cancers like LCLC.
SurgerySurgery may be one of the first treatment steps if cancer is detected early and hasn't spread. Your doctor may be able to remove the tumor or, if the cancer is more widespread, entire sections or lobes of the lung.
Radiation therapyWhen tumors have grown too large to remove, or when trying to avoid removing large sections of lung, radiation therapy may be used to try and control cancer growth.
With this treatment, radiation waves are directed at the area to kill existing cancer cells and prevent new ones from forming.
ChemotherapyChemotherapy involves the use of a number of medications that kill fast-growing cells like cancer. It can affect other cells that grow fast, too, like skin and hair.
There are many types of chemotherapy. Your doctor or care team may recommend trying more than one. Depending on which therapy is chosen, chemotherapy may be given as an implant, orally, or intravenously.
You may receive chemotherapy alone or with radiation therapy.
Targeted therapyWith some cancers, like those caused by genetic mutations, special medications that target cancer cells but spare healthy cells may be used. These medications typically don't cure cancer but control growth and spread.
ImmunotherapyImmunotherapy is a growing area of medicine. In this therapy, your immune system is programmed to fight a variety of conditions.
Several immunotherapy medications are currently being used in the United States to treat lung cancer.
Some cancers are slow-growing and unlikely to spread. LCLC, however, tends to be more aggressive and can spread quickly.
Early diagnosis is key to a good outlook.
Overall, according to figures from the National Cancer Institute, about a quarter of the people with some form of non-small cell lung cancer live for at least 5 years after their diagnosis, up from about 16% in the 1970s.
One 2020 study using data from 2004 to 2015 reports an overall 5-year survival rate of 19% for LCLC.
People with LCLC tend to be on the lower end of that survival spectrum, especially with certain types of this cancer. For example, large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma, a rare type of LCLC, has a median survival rate of about 6 months after diagnosis.
Many individual factors, as well as diagnosis and treatment, all play a role in your prognosis with LCLC. Survival rates are improving with advanced treatments.
Coping with a lung cancer diagnosis is another element of the disease. Make sure you're comfortable with the doctor and treatment plan, and explore all options available to you.
Your doctor may also be able to direct you to local resources or support groups to help you process everything that comes along with this condition.
Symptoms of lung cancer may develop without notice for some time, making diagnosis more difficult.
Talk with a doctor to find out whether you meet the criteria for annual lung cancer screenings, especially if you are or were a heavy smoker. Annual screenings may help detect lung cancer early, improving the chances of a positive outcome.
Survival rates for all forms of lung cancer are increasing due to new medications and treatments.
Kevin Jonas Has Basal Cell Carcinoma – Here's What You Should Know About This Form Of Skin Cancer
Kevin Jonas has become the latest celebrity to share news of a skin cancer diagnosis. The 36-year-old singer and actor took to Instagram to reveal he'd recently been diagnosed basal cell carcinoma at his hairline – then documented the results of surgery he'd had to remove it. At the end of his video, Jonas urged fans to "get your moles checked".
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common form of skin cancer, affecting millions of people worldwide each year. It's a form of non-melanoma skin cancer. While melanomas arise from melanocyte cells that make the pigment in our skin, BCCs as well as squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) develop from keratinocytes. This is the main type of cell found in the outer layers of our skin.
Keratinocyte skin cancers are much less likely to spread (metastasise) around the body than melanoma. As it's metastasis that typically leads a cancer to become fatal, BCC is considered to be a less serious form of skin cancer than melanoma.
What BCC does share in common with melanoma is its major risk factor: exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, either from the sun or tanning beds. In the case of BCC, the cause is usually cumulative exposure to the sun. For this reason, these cancers often appear on areas of the body that are constantly exposed to the sun, such as the face.
BCC and other skin cancers are more common in older people as they have had more time to accumulate sun damage to their skin cells. Almost half of all non-melanoma skin cancers in the UK are diagnosed in the over-75s. But as Jonas illustrates, they can occur in people of any age.
These cancers are also much more common in people with light-coloured skin, as the skin pigment melanin provides some protection against the damaging effects of UV radiation. However, does occur in people with darker skin tones.
Basal cell carcinoma can be bumpy, flat or crusty. Dermatology11/ ShutterstockBCC appears as an unusual growth or patch on the skin. They can be either bumpy or flat and sometimes crusty. Although some can appear pigmented (particularly in people with darker skin), they are not moles because they don't arise from melanocytes. It's important to be aware that most don't look like a mole and are translucent, white, pink or the same colour as your skin.
Because there are many ways that a BCC can present, people are advised to visit a doctor if they notice an abnormal spot or sore patch on their skin that doesn't get better within four weeks. It's also a good idea to check your skin regularly so you know what's normal for you.
Basal cell carcinomas are usually removed surgically, as Jonas's has been. The removed tissue will then be tested to ensure that all the cancer has been removed. Depending on the surgical technique used, the removed tissue may even be tested while the patient is present in case more tissue needs to be removed in the same session.
Sometimes non-surgical methods are used to treat the cancer – for example, if the BCC hasn't penetrated very deeply into the skin or if the patient isn't well enough to undergo surgery. In these cases, topical chemotherapy drugs or photodynamic therapy may be used. In photodynamic therapy, the patient is given an inactive drug either as a tablet, an injection or directly applied to the skin. The tumour is then exposed to light of a particular wavelength, which activates the drug and kills the cancer cells.
For most patients, these treatments will be effective in treating the cancer. But research shows up to 60% of patients diagnosed with BCC or SCC will develop one or more new skin cancers in the following decade. This is why it's important to have regular check-ups and take extra precautions when spending time in the sun.
By sharing his experience, Jonas will almost certainly have helped raise awareness of skin cancer. This has been dubbed the Hugh Jackman effect by a group of researchers. They found that Google searches for "basal cell carcinoma" increase whenever the Wolverine actor, who has been diagnosed with multiple BCCs, publicly discusses his most recent diagnosis or surgery.
As with any cancer, the earlier a basal cell carcinoma is diagnosed and treated, the better the outcome. By encouraging people to be aware of the need to get unusual skin growths and patches checked out by a doctor and being open about his surgery, Jonas has started a conversation that will hopefully lead to more people being diagnosed and treated early.
Although BCC is very treatable, it's better if people avoid developing BCC in the first place. Alongside checking your skin regularly for abnormal spots and sores, you should also try to avoid UV exposure as much as possible. This includes staying in the shade when the sun is at its most intense and covering up with clothing and using sunscreen when in the sun.
Living Beyond Basal Cell Carcinoma
At Memorial Sloan Kettering, we know that even after you've finished your cancer treatments, you may still need our help. We're committed to supporting you in every way we can — physically, emotionally, spiritually, and otherwise — for as long as you need us.
We've built a program designed for cancer survivors and their families. Our Adult Survivorship Program has many services for you and your loved ones, including support groups, follow-up programs, educational resources, and more.
Plus, our Resources for Life After Cancer program offers individual and family counseling, lectures and support groups, and practical guidance on employment and insurance issues, among other services. Visit the Adult Survivorship Program to learn more.
Counseling and SupportSometimes, you and your loved ones just need someone to talk to, someone who's trained to help you make sense of your experience before, during, and after treatment for cancer.
Our Counseling Center offers both individual and group counseling sessions to help you and your family cope with your disease. These sessions can be a healthy, productive way to work through the stress and anxiety that are sometimes a part of treatment and recovery.
Learn more about how we can support your emotional well-being.
Integrative MedicineMedical treatments are often the best way to treat your cancer. Their whole purpose is to get you healthy again. But at MSK, we know that complementary services can also help soothe and heal not only your body but also your mind and spirit.
Our Integrative Medicine Service can be a valuable part of your overall treatment plan. Programs we offer include massage, acupuncture, hypnotherapy, meditation, visualization, music therapy, and nutritional counseling. Formal classes include yoga, tai chi, and chair aerobics.
Learn more about the variety of complementary services we offer.
Older PatientsCancer and its treatment are a challenge for anyone, regardless of age. But if you're over 65, you may face unique issues that only affect people in your age group. We're committed to providing cancer patients of all ages with the treatment, facilities, and support they need.
Your treatment team will include healthcare professionals who have the specialized training and experience to effectively treat older patients. Every aspect of your care — diagnosis, treatment, recovery, support — will be tailored to meet your particular needs.
Learn more about how we care for older patients.
Supportive Care and Pain ManagementAt Memorial Sloan Kettering, we focus on all aspects of comprehensive cancer care, not just treating the disease. Our specialists in supportive care can help you cope with the side effects of therapy. These include pain, nausea, and fatigue. We can also help with the emotional and spiritual needs that often come up during and after cancer treatment.
Learn more about how our Supportive Care Service can help you throughout the cancer experience.
If you are in pain during your treatments or even after they're over, we have pain specialists who can help. We will build a plan that makes sense for you and your needs. Our experts can work with your doctor and pharmacists to give you solutions for both acute physical pain, which comes on suddenly, as well as chronic pain, which can linger. Our goal is to keep you as comfortable as possible.
Learn more about how we can relieve your pain.
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