Oat Cell Lung Cancer / Small Cell Cancer

Also called oat cell lung cancer and small cell carcinoma, small cell lung cancer is one of the two types of lung cancer. It differs from its counterpart, non-small cell lung cancer, in that it spreads much more quickly and is more susceptible to chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Small or oat cell lung cancer is also much less common than non-small cell lung cancer, accounting for only about 20 percent of all types of lung cancer.

Believed to be caused by smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke, oat cell lung cancer typically surfaces as small, round, oat-shaped cells (hence the name oat cell lung cancer) on the layer of tissue just below the mucous membrane of the lung. Because it is such a progressive disease, oat cell lung cancer tends to form metastases in the lung and in nearby organs-and once these metastases develop, it is too late to perform surgery. Instead, the oat cell lung cancer and the metastases are typically treated with cryosurgery (during which oat cell lung cancer cells are frozen and destroyed), radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.

Symptoms of oat cell lung cancer include swelling in the neck, pain, tenderness, shortness of breath, and persistent coughing.

If you have developed small cell / oat cell lung cancer, exposure to toxic substances might be to blame, even if you smoke or have smoked in the past. Contact a lung cancer attorney today to discuss your legal rights.

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