Lung cancer is divided into two types: small cell (SCLC) and non-small cell (NSCLC). The disease is one of the leading causes of death in developed countries, and in Bulgaria about 3,500 new cases are registered annually (mostly in men). The incidence increases with age and reaches its peak at 70-74 years old*.

NSCLC is more common (85%). It is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage (III-IV), with only 30-40% of metastatic carcinoma cases surviving 12 months.

Patients with an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)** mutation had better survival (22 months vs. 11-12 months respectively in those without the mutation).

Histological variants of NSCLC are: adenocarcinoma (40%), squamous cell (25-30%, more common in smokers, typically affects the hili adjacent to the bronchi), and large cell carcinoma (10-15%, which can affect any part of the lung , has a propensity for rapid growth and metastasis, and accordingly has a worse prognosis).

Adenocarcinomas that affect both sexes similarly include the following histologic subtypes: papillary (30%), acinar (30%), and bronchioloalveolar (7%).

The discovery of somatic EGFR mutations by individual genotyping (genetic analysis) in lung cancer patients was a significant advance in molecular medicine.

Details of the common and main symptoms of the increasingly popular lung cancer, its stages, official treatment, classification, diagnosis and causes. Only in Lekar.BG – the most comprehensive and effective article!

Pulmonary carcinoma (lung cancer)

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