Small cell lung cancer

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Synonyms and related keywords: Oat Cell Carcinoma, Reserve Cell Carcinoma, Round Cell Carcinoma, Small Cell Lung Carcinoma, Small Cell Lung Cancer

Overview

Small cell carcinoma of the lung is an anaplastic, highly malignant, and usually bronchogenic carcinoma composed of small ovoid cells with scanty neoplasm. It is characterized by a dominant, deeply basophilic nucleus, and absent or indistinct nucleoli. There are admixtures of small cell lung carcinoma with other types of lung cancer. Small cell carcinomas are distinguished by their distinctive biological features, response to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and by their nearly universal tendency to develop overt or subclinical metastases, which frequently eliminates surgery in most patients.

Pathological Findings

Images courtesy of Professor Peter Anderson DVM PhD and published with permission © PEIR, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Pathology

Histopathologic image of oat cell carcinoma of the lung. Gross fixed tissue opened bronchus at hilum showing tumor close-up.
Lung: Carcinoma: Gross natural color good photo of left upper lobe neoplasm extending into mediastinal pleura and surrounding portion of aorta node metastasis easily seen small cell carcinoma (unusual spindle cell areas)