4 Stages of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Non-small cell lung cancer is the most common form. It can be broken down into 5 stages:
– Stage 0
This is the precancer stage, which does not show any signs. Only a CT scan can help detect the risk. By definition, the lining of your airways has not spread into the lungs. Early treatments can help prevent precancer from developing into cancer.
– Stage 1
In this stage, the tumor becomes invasive. However, it has not metastasized to other lymph nodes. Stage 1 includes two types: stage 1a when the tumor’s size is less than 3 cm and stage 1b when the tumor’s size is more than 3 cm.
– Stage 2
This is localized cancer without metastasizing to lymph nodes on the other side or beyond a lung. The tumor can be smaller or bigger than the previous phase but have spread to surrounding airways or lymph nodes. Stage 2 also has two subtypes: stage 2a and stage 2b.
– Stage 3
In this stage, the tumor has spread to regional tissue. Stage 3a is locally advanced with a tumor smaller than 5 cm. Stage 3b is advanced with a tumor in various sizes. The latter case is more challenging to treat.
– Stage 4:
This is the most advanced phase of lung cancer. It refers to any type and size of the tumor that has spread to the other lung, other body parts, or the fluid around the heart or lung. It is impossible to cure people with this stage, but treatment is available. [2]
