Lung Cancer Staging - The Four Stages of Lung Cancer
Lung cancer staging refers to a system of classifying where the cancer is in its growth. This allows physicians a guide to help determine what treatments would be most effective and how aggressively those treatments should be administered. It is also a way of determining the potential outcome of a particular case of lung cancer. The lower the stage, the better the odds of a full recovery.
The process of deciding what stage a lung cancer has reached is called "staging the lung cancer." This is accomplished through a series of tests, such as x-rays, blood tests, bone scans, etc. The goal is to determine the size of the tumor or tumors and if the cancer has spread to other tissues (metastasized). X-rays, MRIs and CAT scans help to determine the size and location of the tumors. Bone scans and blood work can help to determine whether the cancer has spread to other organs or to the bones. PET scans can indicate whether or not a tumor is actively growing.
Lung cancer staging is also dependent on the type of cancer. For instance, in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), there are four stages, while in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) there are two ... limited stage and extended stage. Here's a quick overview to give you an idea of the differences between the various stages:
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Stage I: The cancer is confined to the lungs. This stage obviously offers the best prognosis. Lung cancer caught in this stage has better than a 49% five year survival rate.
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Stage II: The cancer is confined to lung tissue and the lymph nodes within the lungs, the recovery rate is 40-50%
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Stage II: The tumors have spread from the lungs, but are confined to the chest area. Larger, more invasive tumors are generally diagnosed as belonging to this stage.
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Stage IV: The cancer has spread away from the chest and invaded other parts of the body such as the liver, adrenal glands, bone, brain, and/or other sites.
Small Cell Lung Cancer Limited Stage: The cancer is confined to the chest area, and has not spread outside the point of origin.
Small Cell Lung Cancer Extended Stage: The cancer has spread beyond the chest to other parts of the body.
The treatment recommended by your doctor will take into account the stage of the lung cancer, as well as the size and location of the tumors and your general overall health. Of course, you'll have input into how aggressively the cancer should be pursued and all that entails. More and more oncologists are coming to accept that the prognosis of a patient with lung cancer -- as it is with any cancer patient -- is profoundly affected by the patient's attitude and decision making.
Related Tags: small cell lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, lung cancer stages, lung cancer staging
To learn more about lung cancer stages and for a comprehensive selection of articles covering all aspects of this dreaded disease, its symptoms, treatments, and more, visit http://www.lungcancerinsights.com
Your Article Search Directory : Find in ArticlesRecent articles in this category:
- Cancer Prevention With Omega-3 - Does it Really Help?
Cancer is a disease that can affect any one at any age. 13% of the deaths in the year 2007 were caus - Themes For Relay For Life
There are millions of charities and fundraisers going on at this very moment. You probably have boug - Different Asbestos-Containing Products
The most serious type of asbestos is part of the chrysoltil class. Chrysotile comes from serpentine - Prostate Health and Oyster Extract
Prostate problems affect a large percentage of the male population over 50 years of age. These probl - The Importance of Prostate Cancer Checks
Prostate cancer is currently the most common cancer among men in the UK. According the latest availa - Traditional Versus Minimally Invasive Lung Cancer Surgery
There are a number of reasons surgery is performed on the lungs. The most common reason involves can - How To Slash Your Prostate Cancer Risk - With Sunlight!
According to a study published in the British Journal of Cancer 2009; 100: 450-454, men with prostat - How to Prevent Cancers Psychological Impact?
Cancer is, as we know, a life changing experience for the cancer sufferer, their friends and familie - Targeted Therapy- A New Way of Treating Mesothelioma
Conventional Mesothelioma cancer treatment consists mainly of three main options- surgery, chemother - Vitamin a - Possible New Drug For Mesothelioma
Vitamin A is a very important vitamin to maintaining health. Vitamin A is found in foods like carrot
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Lung Cancer: The Importance Of Early Detection
Cancer is a serious health problem in America, all around the world for that matter. Each year, a la - Norwalk Juicers And Gerson Therapy Can Help In The Battle With Cancer
The Story of Norwalk Juicers The story of the Norwalk Juicer began a long time ago. The developmen - Protection Against Digestive Cancer
There are numerous types of cancer that affect different areas of our digestive systems. Two of the - Flax - A Role In The Treatment Of Cancer
Lignan, a fiber found in flax, is the latest hope in the treatment of cancer Flax - the plant that g - Lung Cancer: Effective Treatment Options
Lung cancer is defined as a tumor on the lungs. That tumor is known as being malignant. Due to the r - Chemotherapy's Effect on the Brain Only Temporary - New Research Shows
New research shows that chemotherapy may be responsible for the shrinkage of key brain areas, but th - What Is The Diet's Role In Colon Cancer
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in both the USA and Europe, and colon cancer is the mos - How To Restart or Boost Your Body's Own Built-in Cancer Fighting Machine
As you may know, cancer is second only to heart disease in mortality. An amazing one-third of Americ - Prostate Cancer Guide
Prostate cancer is caused by malignant tumors in the prostate gland, and is the leading cancer affec - Chemotherapy: Do Is Really Cause Cancer?Â
The fantastic science of chemotherapy began because it was noticed that Mustard Gas caused the destr
