Stages of Lung Cancer

Before you can receive treatment, your oncologist will determine the stage of your Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). Staging is a way to measure how far the disease has spread. Staging affects the type of treatment you receive and your outcome (prognosis).

Stage 0

Cancer that is found only in the layer of cells lining the air passages. Possible treatment: N/A

Stage I

Cancer cells are limited to the lung. Tissue around the lung remains normal. Stage I is divided into IA and IB, depending on the tumor size or if a main bronchus is involved. Possible treatment: Surgery, radiation therapy, and/or chemotherapy^*

Stage II

Cancer has spread to lymph nodes, chest wall, diaphragm, lining of the lungs, or the outer lining that surrounds the heart. Stage II is divided into IIA and IIB, depending on the tumor size or if a main bronchus is involved. Possible treatment: Surgery, radiation therapy, and/or chemotherapy^*

Stage III

Cancer has spread to the lymph nodes in the area of the chest between the heart and lungs. Blood vessels in this area may also be affected. Cancer may also have spread to the lower neck.

Stage IIIA

The cancer has spread to lymph nodes in the center of the chest, on the same side as where the cancer started. Possible treatment: Surgery, radiation therapy, and/or chemotherapy^*

Stage IIIB

The cancer has spread to lymph nodes on the opposite side of the chest. Possible treatment: Radiation therapy, combinations of chemotherapy, and/or targeted therapies^*

Stage IV

Cancer has spread to the other lung or to other areas in the body and cannot be removed with surgery. Possible treatment: Radiation therapy, combinations of chemotherapy, and/or targeted therapies^*

• ^*Adapted from the 2006 NCCN guidelines.¹
• 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.