A person with adenocarcinoma of the bronchus 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.

Two types of adenocarcinoma occur in the lung:

• Adenocarcinoma of the bronchus:
• Made up of cells that line the air passageways
• Bronchioalveolar cell carcinoma:
• Made up of cells within other tissues of the lung

Adenocarcinoma of the bronchus is the most common type of lung cancer in women, and in those who do not smoke. Squamous cell carcinoma of the lung is the most common type of lung cancer seen in men, and in those who smoke.