Different types of lung cancer may spread at different rates. Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) spreads faster than non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but is less common. However, early detection and treatment can affect an individual’s outlook.

Lung cancer is known as “localized” when it has not spread beyond the lungs. However, over time, the cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body. This is known as metastasis. Once a cancer has metastasized, a person’s outlook is worse.

Overall, lung cancer is a cancer that typically grows and spreads quickly. Different types of lung cancer grow at different rates.

Lung cancer is more treatable in the early stages. However, approximately 53% of all lung cancers have metastasized by the time a doctor diagnoses the condition.

Most SCLC lung cancers have spread by the time they are diagnosed. The American Cancer Society (ACS) reports that two out of three cases of SCLC have already spread beyond the lungs by the time of diagnosis.

Cancer growth is when a cancerous tumor grows in size. In other words, the cancer cells multiply at the same site, and the tumor, or mass of cells, becomes bigger.

Cancer spread, or metastasis, occurs when cancer cells break off from the original tumor and travel through the blood or lymph to other parts of the body.

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is the fastest-growing type, with volume doubling times of 70 days. It often spreads quickly and requires immediate, aggressive treatment. By contrast, NSCLC takes on average 230 days to double in size.

The rapid growth of SCLC means it is more likely to spread to other areas of the body compared with NSCLC.

However, factors such as individual factors, treatments, and how quickly treatment is given can all affect the growth of lung cancers.

Smoking can worsen the outlook for a person with cancer and can promote metastasis.

Smoking with a cancer diagnosis has multiple risks, including lower tolerance of treatment and increased risk of second primary tumors.

Continuing to smoke with lung cancer can raise a person’s risk of future cancers and death. However, quitting smoking can prevent this increased risk. So, it is still well worth quitting even if you already have lung cancer, to help prevent its spread and to give treatment the best chance of working.

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To learn whether or not lung cancer has spread, a healthcare professional may order tests such as:

These tests will help them determine whether the cancer is localized to the lungs and chest or has spread to other areas of the body.

In the early stages, lung cancer may spread to nearby lymph nodes but remain within the chest cavity.

However, over time, lung cancer may spread to more distant parts of the body through the process of metastasis. The most common sites in the body for lung cancer metastases to appear are:

  • the liver
  • the bones
  • the brain
  • the adrenal glands in the kidneys

Lung cancer cells can spread into nearby chest tissue or throughout the body via blood vessels or the lymphatic system.

As with any cancer, “natural” treatments may be used as a complementary therapy alongside a doctor’s treatment. But it’s important to speak with a doctor about any other treatments, as it could affect your care.

Evidence does not support that a person can prevent the spread of cancer without medical treatment.

A person can help prevent the development of lung cancer by considering risk factors and speaking with a doctor about ways to reduce them.

Role of screening

The American Lung Association (ALA) estimates that providing screening for people at high risk of lung cancer could reduce the lung cancer mortality rate by around 20%.

Lung cancer is an aggressive type of cancer that spreads rapidly, more so with SCLC than NSCLC. Survival rates are improving but remain low, particularly for small cell lung cancer (SCLC), which tends to be diagnosed at a later stage.

Early diagnosis and treatment improve a person’s outlook. Stopping smoking can also help treatments work better and reduce the risk of the cancer spreading further.

Receiving a lung cancer diagnosis can be scary, but support is available. A person can connect with their healthcare team to learn more about strategies to slow the spread of lung cancer and improve their outlook.