Stages of Lung Cancer
What is staging of lung cancer?
The stage of a tumor refers to the extent to which lung cancer has spread in the body. Staging involves both evaluation of a tumor's size as well as the presence or absence of metastases in the lymph nodes or in other organs. Staging is important for determining how a particular tumor should be treated. Staging of a tumor is also critical in estimating the prognosis of a given patient, with higher-stage tumors having a worse prognosis than lower-stage tumors.
Doctors use several tests to accurately stage lung cancer, including blood tests, X-rays, CT scans, bone scans, and PET scans. An abnormal blood chemistry test may signal the presence of metastases in the bone or liver. Radiological procedures document the size of a tumor, as well as its spread to other organs.
Understanding Lung Cancer -- Diagnosis and Treatment
If a routine physical exam reveals swollen lymph nodes above the collarbone, a mass in the abdomen, weak breathing, abnormal sounds in the lungs, dullness when the chest is tapped, abnormalities of the pupils, weakness or swollen veins in one of the arms, or even changes in the fingernails, a doctor may suspect a lung tumor. Some lung cancers produce abnormally high blood levels of certain hormones or substances, such as calcium. If a person shows such evidence and no other cause is apparent, a doctor...
Read the Understanding Lung Cancer -- Diagnosis and Treatment article > >
Non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) are assigned a stage from I to IV in order of severity.
- In stage I, the cancer is confined to the lung.
- In stages II and III, the cancer is confined to the lung and, possibly, the lymph nodes.
- Stage IV cancer has spread outside of the lung to other parts of the body.
Small cell lung cancers (SCLC) are staged using a two-tiered system:
- Limited stage (LS) SCLC refers to cancer that is confined to its area of origin in the lung and lumph nodes.
- In extensive-stage (ES) SCLC, the cancer has spread beyond the lung to other parts of the body.
WebMD Medical Reference
Lung Cancer GuideToday in Lung Cancer
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
©2005-2012 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.