Lung, Small cell carcinoma

Small cell lung cancer accounts for approximately 10-15% of all primary lung malignancies. It is strongly associated with tobacco exposure, and often presents at a late stage, thus precluding surgical excision. Of all the lung cancers, small cell lung cancer is most likely to secrete ectopic hormone leading to development of paraneoplastic syndrome such as antidiuretic hormone, parathyroid hormone-like peptides and ACTH. It is composed of relatively small cells with scant cytoplasm, finely granular nuclear chromatin (so called "salt and pepper") and inconspicuous nucleoli. Nuclear molding of cells is prominent. It is thought to originate from the neuroendocrine progenitor cells in the lining of the bronchial epithelium.