Non-small Cell Lung Cancer
Stage I: Cancer is located in only one lung and has not spread to the nearby lymph nodes.
Stage II: Cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes (other than lymph nodes in the center of
the chest) OR the tumor has directly invaded nearby tissues such as the chest wall, diaphragm, or a
main bronchus (airway) close to where the bronchus joins the trachea.
Stage IIIA: Cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes (other than lymph nodes in the center
of the chest) and the tumor has directly invaded nearby tissues such as the chest wall, diaphragm, or a
main bronchus (airway) close to where the bronchus joins the trachea, OR cancer has
spread to lymph nodes near the center of the chest, and the tumor may or may not have directly invaded
nearby tissues such as the chest wall, diaphragm, or a main bronchus (airway) close to
where the bronchus joins the trachea.
Stage IIIB: Cancer has spread to lymph nodes above the collarbone or on the opposite
side of the chest, and/or the tumor has directly invaded nearby organs such as the heart or esophagus.
Stage IV: Cancer has spread to other sites in the body, such as the liver, brain, or a
different lobe of the lung.
American Cancer Society: About Staging
Depending on the extent of the cancer, treatment for non-small cell lung cancer may
include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapy. It is important
for patients to remember that treatment is determined by the stage and other specific
characteristics of the cancer. Patients should speak with their doctor to discuss the
individual risks and benefits of each treatment option.
|
