A person with adenocarcinoma of the lung has a growth of abnormal cells inside the tissues of the lung. These cells can form tumors and spread to other parts of the body.

Adenocarcinoma may arise from the cells lining the bronchial tube (adenocarcinoma of the bronchus) or from other glandular cells (bronchioalveolar cell carcinoma of the lung) within the tissues of the lung.

Adenocarcinoma of the lung is the most common type of lung cancer in women and non-smokers. Squamous cell carcinoma of the lung is the most common type of lung cancer seen in men, and in those who smoke.