Stages and types of lung cancer

The stage of a cancer tells you how big it is and whether it has spread. Doctors use the TNM or number staging systems to stage lung cancer. They might also use limited and extensive stages to stage small cell lung cancer.

There are 2 main groups of primary lung cancer, namely small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The most common type is non small cell lung cancer.

TNM system stands for Tumour, Node and Metastasis. It is the most common way to stage lung cancer. Doctors may also use the number system.

Limited disease and extensive disease is a way of describing small cell lung cancer.

Stage 1 means your cancer is small. It hasn’t spread to your lymph nodes or other distant organs. Number staging systems use the TNM system to divide cancers into stages.

Stage 2 NSCLC is sometimes called early stage NSCLC. Number staging systems use the TNM system to divide cancers into stages.

Stage 3 non small cell lung cancer is sometimes called locally advanced cancer. Number staging systems use the TNM system to divide cancers into stages.

Stage 4 means the cancer has spread from the lungs. It is also called metastatic (advanced) lung cancer. Number staging systems use the TNM system to divide cancers into stages.