Squamous Lung Cancer or Epidermoid Carcinoma Information

What is squamous lung cancer?

Squamous cell carcinoma is responsible for about 30% of all non-small cell cancers of the lungs. It starts in the central parts of the lungs where the tumours can remain for some years before they start to spread out of the chest cavity.

This is a type of non small cell lung cancer that appears in the epithelial, or surface, cells of the bronchi and lungs. The epithelial cells start to divide, forming tumors on the lining of the lungs and breathing passages.

Like many lung cancers, squamous lung cancer may be the result of smoking or the exposure to certain chemicals and substances that have proved to be toxic and associated with the development of lung cancers. These include such things as asbestos, chromium, arsenic, radon and nickel, all of which are present in many work environments.

If you have worked in a potentially toxic environment, it may be to your advantage to consult a lung cancer lawyer. There have been many situations where people, suffering with different types of lung cancer, have been able to claim compensation from past employers, even if they smoke or had been a smoker in the past.

What are the symptoms?

Some cancers, including epidermoid carcinoma, intially have no symptoms of their own, and are frequently picked up during a routine medical examination or an evaluation of any of the following conditions:

• Persistent coughing
• An increase in phlegm coughed up
• Hemoptysis or coughing up blood
• Shortness of breath
• Swallowing problems
• General fatigue
• Loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss
• Unexplained chest pain, or pain of the arm or shoulder
• Swelling of the face or neck
• Hoarse voice
• High blood calcium levels

Diagnosis may be made with a chest x-ray, and then other imaging technology like CT or PET scan, or an MRI will be able to determine the exact location, shape and size of the tumor. Further diagnostic techniques may be employed to decide what treatment is the most appropriate.

What does the diagnosis mean?

Squamous cell lung cancer is slow spreading and slow growing, and can go undetected for some time, while it remains in the lungs.

As the spread of the cancer progresses, the cancer cells can be carried via the lymphatic system and the bloodstream from the lungs to other parts of the body. Initially, this is to those parts that are situated close by, mainly the heart, the chest wall, neck or esophagus. If it remains indetected and therefore, untreated, the cancer cells can spread to the liver, brain, bones and adrenal glands where they start to grow.

Squamous lung cancer also has the potential to secrete a chemical which causes increased calcium levels in the blood. This in turn may affect the functioning of the kidneys.

Treatment may be surgery, radiation or chemotherapy, or a combination of these, depending on the location and extent of the cancer. Without any treatment, the squamous lung cancer will grow and spread. Early detection and treatment seem to indicate a greater chance of survival.

This type of lung cancer has a high rate of recurrence, even in patients who are considered to be in remission. The average five year survival rate is 15%, but for patients who were diagnosed early and treated immediately, this five year survival rate increases to 50%.