small-cell lung cancer

small-cell lung cancer An aggressive type of lung cancer in which the cancerous cells appear smaller under a microscope than those in the other common forms of lung cancer (non-small-cell lung cancer) and have a characteristic microscopic appearance. Treatment options for small cell cancer may be different than for other types of lung cancers (non-small cell lung cancers) Small-cell lung cancer cells have been described as resembling oats when examined under the microscope. Also known as oat-cell lung cancer. See also non-small-cell lung cancer.