Small-Cell Lung Cancer (cont.)
IN THIS ARTICLE
- Small-Cell Lung Cancer Overview
- Small-Cell Lung Cancer Causes
- Small-Cell Lung Cancer Symptoms
- When to Seek Medical Care
- Exams and Tests
- Small-Cell Lung Cancer Treatment
- Medical Treatment
- Medications
- Surgery
- Other Therapy
- Next Steps
- Follow-up
- Prevention
- Outlook
- Support Groups and Counseling
- For More Information
- Web Links
- Multimedia
- Synonyms and Keywords
- Authors and Editors
Small-Cell Lung Cancer Causes
- The predominant cause of both small-cell lung cancer and non-small-cell lung cancer is tobacco smoking. However, small-cell lung cancer is more strongly linked to smoking than non-small-cell lung cancer.
- Even secondhand tobacco smoke is a risk factor for lung cancer.
- All types of lung cancers occur with increased frequency in people who mine uranium, but small-cell lung cancer is most common. The prevalence is increased further in persons who smoke.
- Exposure to radon (an inert gas that develops from the decay of uranium) has been reported to cause small-cell lung cancer.
- Exposure to asbestos increases the risk of lung cancer by 9 times. A combination of asbestos exposure and cigarette smoking increases the risk by as much as 50 times.
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Lung Cancer, Oat Cell (Small Cell) »
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is considered distinct from other lung cancers, called non–small-cell lung cancers (NSCLCs), because of their clinical and biologic characteristics.
