Small cell lung cancer is typically characterized by which of the following?

• A. Central lesion that narrows bronchi
• B. Peripheral mass
• C. Arises from mucous glands
• D. Rare hilar mass

Answer: (A)

Small cell lung cancer often grows right in the central airways, near the main bronchi. This central, hilar location comes from its origin in neuroendocrine Kulchitsky cells in the bronchial mucosa, so the tumor tends to encroach on and narrow the bronchi, producing symptoms like cough and wheeze from airway obstruction. The central location also helps explain why these tumors are so aggressive and prone to early spread.

Peripheral masses are more typical of other lung cancer types, such as adenocarcinoma, which arise in the outer lung tissue. A tumor arising from mucous glands would point away from small cell cancer as well. And a hilar mass is not rare in small cell disease—it’s a common feature, not an exception.