The Stages of Lung Cancer

The staging of lung cancer is the process of finding out how far along cancer has spread. To a large extent this is important because treatment and outlook depend on the stage of the cancer. There are a few different stages of lung cancer for small cell and non -small cell. They are as follows:

SMALL CELL STAGES:

• Limited Stage- Cancer is only in one of the lungs and the lymph nodes on same side of the chest

• Extensive Stage- Cancer has spread and is now in both lungs, lymph nodes on both sides of chest and/or distant organs. Cancer that has spread to the fluid around the lung is considered by many doctors to be extensive stage also.

NON-SMALL CELL STAGES:

• Stage 0- Also called carcinoma in situ; this stage of cancer is limited to the lung and also found in a few layers of cells. Has not grown through the top lining of the lung.

• Stage I- Cancer is only in the lung with normal tissue around the tumor. This stage is divided into stages IA and IB depending on size of tumor.

• Stage II- Cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes or possibly to chest wall which is considered the ribs and muscles that make up area of body between abdomen and neck; diaphragm which is the thin muscle below the lungs and heart which separates chest and abdomen; mediastinal pleura which is the thin membrane which covers outside of lung near the heart; and parietal pericardium which is the outer layer of tissue surrounding the heart. This stage is divided into stages IIA and IIB depending on size of tumor and if it has spread to lymph nodes.

• Stage III- Cancer has done one or the other-

1. Spread to the lymph nodes in metiastinum which is the middle area between lungs which contain the heart; major blood vessels; and other structures.

2. Has spread to lymph nodes on opposite side of chest of the lower neck.

This stage is divided into stages IIIA and IIIB. Stage IIIA is sometimes treated by surgery and stage IIIB is rarely treated by surgery.

• Stage IV- Cancer has been spread to another lobe of the lung or other parts of the body.

After lung cancer has been confirmed through examination of tissue from the lung, the doctor will use one or more of the following test to determine the stage of lung cancer. They are as follows:

1. CT Scan (Computed Tomography)

2. MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

3. Radionuclide Scanning

4. Bone Scan

5. Mediastinoscopy

6. Bone Marrow Biopsy

7. Blood Tests

For additional information visit the websites listed below:

http://www.antigenics.com/diseases/lungcancer.html

http://www.webmd.com/lung-cancer/guide/stages-of-lung-cancer

http://www.medicinenet.com/lung_cancer/article.htm

http://www.mayoclinic.org/lung-cancer/types.html