Squamous Cell Carcinoma

There are two main categories of lung cancer. The first is primary lung cancer, which occurs when the cancerous tumor originates in the lung. The other is secondary lung cancer, where the cancer actually originated in another area of the body and has spread to the lungs. Primary lung cancer has two categories, and they are known as small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer.

What is Squamous Cell Carcinoma?

Squamous cell carcinoma is a type of non-small cell lung cancer. The other types include large cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. These types of lung cancer are grouped together since they attack the body in similar ways.

About 30% of non-small cell lung cancer is squamous cell carcinoma. This lung cancer starts in the center of the lungs. A patient may cough up blood in an early stage of the disease. This cancer can spread to other areas of the body through the fluids of the lungs. If the cancer is diagnosed early, the early discovery could prevent the possible spread to the throat, chest wall, or even the heart.

Symptoms of Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Symptoms of squamous cell carcinoma are very similar to other types of lung cancers. A patient may feel fatigue, experience bone pain, cough up blood, suffer from headaches or have swelling in the face or neck. If you are experiencing these types of problems, a doctor will use tests such as an x-ray of the chest, a CT scan, or an MRI scan to determine a proper diagnosis. These tests will also allow the doctor to find the best area of the body from which to extract a sample that will be examined by a pathologist. This procedure is known as a biopsy. A pathologist will examine the sample and determine the proper course of action.

Treatment of Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Like other non-small cell cancers, surgery is the primary treatment for squamous cell carcinoma. If the tumor is small enough, it can be removed through surgery. Radiation and chemotherapy may be used to prevent the cancer from returning. If the cancer has spread too far throughout the body, the doctor may recommend that you look into chemotherapy medications. This method may help to lessen some cancer symptoms as well as increase the lifespan of someone who has lung cancer in the advanced stages.

Diagnosis of Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

If you have been diagnosed with this type of lung cancer or another type and you are a smoker or live with a smoker, you need to understand what legal options you have. The Florida Supreme Court has determined that smoking is addictive and that the tobacco industry produces a product that causes several diseases. This has opened avenues for smokers suffering from serious health issues to be able to hold these corporate giants accountable. Contact an attorney today to protect your rights.