Small cell carcinoma

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Small Cell Carcinoma

Small cell carcinoma (pronunciation: smɔːl sɛl kɑːrsɪˈnoʊmə) is a type of cancer that commonly arises from the lung, but can also occur in other parts of the body such as the bladder, prostate, gastrointestinal tract, and cervix. It is characterized by small cells that are round or oval in shape.

Etymology

The term "small cell carcinoma" is derived from the microscopic appearance of the cancer cells. They are called "small" because they are smaller than most other cancer cells, and "carcinoma" is a term used to describe a cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs.

Related Terms

  • Carcinoma: A type of cancer that starts in cells that make up the skin or the tissue lining organs, such as the liver or lungs.
  • Non-small cell lung cancer: This is the most common type of lung cancer, and it generally grows and spreads more slowly than small cell lung cancer.
  • Neuroendocrine tumors: These are a type of small cell carcinoma that start in the hormone-producing cells of the body's neuroendocrine system.
  • Chemotherapy: This is a type of cancer treatment that uses drugs to destroy cancer cells.
  • Radiation therapy: This is a type of cancer treatment that uses high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors.

Treatment

Treatment for small cell carcinoma typically involves a combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Surgery is less commonly used due to the aggressive nature of this type of cancer and its tendency to spread quickly to other parts of the body.

Prognosis

The prognosis for small cell carcinoma varies depending on the stage of the disease at diagnosis, the patient's overall health, and the response to treatment. In general, this type of cancer is considered aggressive and has a poorer prognosis compared to other types of lung cancer.

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