Learning about NSCLC

Stages of NSCLC

Staging is a standardized process of finding out how far the cancer has spread. This step is crucial to making the right treatment choices and for understanding what you might expect from therapy. Staging is done after there is a confirmed diagnosis of lung cancer through a variety of methods. See the Tools section of Why and How NSCLC Begins to learn more about these methods.

Understanding the stages of NSCLC

The stage of NSCLC, from stage 0 to stage IV, is one of the most important factors in selecting treatment options. Metastatic NSCLC is considered stage IV, which means that the cancer has spread to other organs in the body, such as the liver or brain, or to the bones. If you have any questions about your stage, ask the doctor, "Has the cancer spread to other parts of my body? If so, where?"

Stage 0 Non-small cell lung cancer Stage 0

Lung cancer that is found only in the layer of cells lining the air passages.

Possible treatment: N/A

Stage 1 Non-small cell lung cancer Stage I

Tumor is small in size, has not spread to membranes surrounding the lungs, and does not affect main branches of bronchi. Plus, the cancer has not spread to lymph nodes or any other distant organ.

Possible treatment: Surgery, radiation therapy, and/or chemotherapy*

Stage 2 Non-small cell lung cancer Stage II

Tumor has spread to the lymph nodes within the cancerous lung but not to any distant sites.

Possible treatment: Surgery, radiation therapy, and/or chemotherapy*

Stage 3 Non-small cell lung cancer Stage III

Tumor has spread to the lymph nodes in the middle of the chest—away from the lungs.

Possible treatment: Surgery, radiation therapy, and/or chemotherapy*

Stage 4 Non-small cell lung cancer Stage IV

Cancer has spread to other parts of the body—such as the liver, brain, or bone.

Possible treatment: Radiation therapy, combinations of chemotherapy, and/or targeted therapies*

  • *Adapted from the 2006 NCCN guidelines.1

Next: Questions for Your Doctor about NSCLC Treatment

References
  1. National Comprehensive Cancer Network Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (Version 2.2006). Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. © 2006 National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Inc. Available at: http://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/PDF/nscl.pdf. Accessed May 19, 2006. To view the most recent and complete version of the guideline, go online to www.nccn.org.