Fact-sheet: Large cell carcinoma of lung
Updated on 09/17/2021 at 12:16 PM
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Definition
Large cell carcinoma of lung, adenocarcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma are grouped together under the term non-small cell lung carcinoma.
Large cell carcinoma of lung accounts for less than 5% of primary bronchogenic neoplasms and is strongly associated with smoking.
Classification
T – Primary tumor
TX: Primary tumor cannot be assessed, or tumor proven by the presence of malignant cells in sputum or bronchial washings but not visualized by imaging or bronchoscopy
T0: No evidence of primary tumor
Tis: Carcinoma in situ
T1: Tumor 3 cm or less in greatest dimension, surrounded by lung or visceral pleura, without bronchoscopic evidence of invasion of the main bronchus
T1a: Tumor 2 cm or less in greatest dimension
T1b: Tumor more than 2 cm but not more than 3 cm in greatest dimension
T2: Tumor more than 3 cm but not more than 7 cm in greatest dimension or with any of the following features:
• involvement of the main bronchus 2 cm or more distal to the carina
• invasion of the visceral pleura
• association with atelectasis or obstructive pneumonitis extending to the hilar region but not involving the entire lung
T2a: Tumor more than 3 cm but not more than 5 cm
T2b: Tumor more than 5 cm but not more than 7 cm
T3: Tumor more than 7 cm or directly invading any of the following: chest wall, diaphragm, phrenic nerve, mediastinal pleura, parietal pericardium; or tumor in the main bronchus less than 2 cm from the carina but without involving it; or associated atelectasis or obstructive pneumonitis of the entire lung; or presence of a separate tumor nodule in the same lobe
T4: Tumor directly invading any of the following: mediastinum, heart, great vessels, trachea, recurrent laryngeal nerve, esophagus, vertebral body, carina; or presence of a separate tumor nodule in a different ipsilateral lobe
N – Regional lymph nodes
NX: Regional lymph nodes cannot be assessed
N0: No regional lymph node metastasis
N1: Metastasis in ipsilateral peribronchial and/or ipsilateral hilar and intrapulmonary lymph nodes
N2: Metastasis in ipsilateral mediastinal and/or subcarinal lymph nodes
N3: Metastasis in contralateral mediastinal, contralateral hilar, ipsilateral or contralateral scalene, or supraclavicular lymph nodes
M – Distant metastasis
MX: Distant metastasis cannot be assessed
M0: No distant metastasis
M1: Distant metastasis
M1a: Separate tumor nodule(s) in a contralateral lobe; tumor with pleural nodules or malignant pleural (or pericardial) effusion
M1b: Distant metastasis