Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer, accounting for about 80-85% of all lung cancer cases. It’s named “non-small cell” because the cancer cells do not appear small under a microscope, unlike the small cell lung cancer cells.

NSCLC comprises several subtypes, including adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma. These subtypes differ in appearance, behavior, and treatment options.

Risk factors for developing NSCLC include smoking, exposure to secondhand smoke, exposure to environmental toxins like asbestos or radon, a family history of lung cancer, and specific genetic mutations.

Symptoms of NSCLC can include persistent cough, coughing up blood, shortness of breath, wheezing, chest or back pain, recurrent respiratory infections; and like in many other types of cancer, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, and loss of appetite.

Routine screenings and molecular/genetic testing can aid in the early detection of lung cancer in high-risk individuals, leading to more manageable stages for treatment.

Treatment options for NSCLC depend on various factors, including the stage of cancer, the patient’s overall health, and specific characteristics of the tumor; they may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or a combination of these.

Symptoms include a cough that won’t go away, coughing up blood and phlegm, shortness of breath, wheezing, pain in the back or chest, recurrent respiratory infections, weight loss, fatigue and loss of appetite.