The 20 Best Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) Doctors Near Me in Huntsville, AL

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive disease characterized by rapid, uncontrolled growth of malignant cells in the lung that eventually form a tumor. Small cell lung carcinoma is considered to be a neuroendocrine carcinoma because the cancer cells have features of nerve and endocrine cells and can spread quickly to other areas of the body, such as the liver, adrenal glands, bone, and brain. Small cell lung cancer cells can act like tiny glands and can further cause a condition known as paraneoplastic disorder, in which the cancer cells secret chemical and hormones that cause a range of symptoms, such as abnormal blood mineral levels, high blood sugar, muscle weakness, or neurological symptoms. There are two types of small cell lung cancer: 1) oat cell small cell lung cancer, and 2) combined small cell lung carcinoma. Small cell carcinoma is categorized into two main stages: 1) limited-stage small cell carcinoma, which is possibly curable in 20-25% of individuals, and 2) extensive stage small cell carcinoma, which is difficult to treat. Limited-stage small cell lung cancer – In this stage, the cancer is in the lung and may spread to the area between the lungs or the lymph nodes above the collarbone. Extensive-stage small cell lung cancer – In this stage, the cancer has spread outside of the lung to the area between the lungs, the lymph nodes above the collarbone, or other places in the body.