Stages of Small Cell Lung Cancer
Small cell lung cancer has two stages:
– Limited stage
This is the earliest stage when the tumor is only in one lung or has spread to lymph nodes on the same side. Aggressive treatments are needed during this period to cure the disease. Common approaches include chemotherapy, chemoradiation, and surgery.
– Extensive stage
Around 65 percent of those diagnosed with small cell lung cancer are in this stage. As an advanced form, it is characterized by tumors in both lungs or tumors in other body parts, typically the brain. The extensive stage is not curable, and surgery is rarely suggested. Chemotherapy and radiation are the main approaches.[3]
