Stages and types of lung cancer

Stages of lung cancer

The stage of a cancer tells you how big it is and whether it has spread. Knowing the stage can help your doctor decide which treatment you need.

About staging for lung cancer

The tests and scans you have to diagnose your cancer give some information about the stage. Sometimes it’s not possible to be certain about the stage of a cancer until after surgery.

Doctors can use the TNM or number system to stage your cancer. There is also a simplified staging system called limited and extensive stage, for small cell lung cancer. Doctors are starting to use this less frequently, as we learn more about small cell lung cancer.

Staging systems

TNM staging

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

Limited and extensive small cell lung cancer stages

Limited disease and extensive disease are ways of describing small cell lung cancer. It is an older and simpler system.

Number staging

Number staging systems use the TNM system to divide cancers into stages. There are 4 stages for lung cancer, numbered from 1 to 4:

Last reviewed: 06 Oct 2025

Next review due: 06 Oct 2028

Lung cancer main page

Lung cancer starts in the windpipe (trachea), the main airway (bronchus) or the lung tissue. Cancer that starts in the lung is called primary lung cancer.

Stages and types of lung cancer

The stage of a cancer tells you how big it is and whether it has spread. The type tells which type of cell the cancer started from.

Types of 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.

Treatment for lung cancer

Your treatment depends on several factors. These include what type of lung cancer you have, how big it is and whether it has spread (the stage). It also depends on your general health.

Living with lung cancer

There is support available during and after treatment to help you cope. This includes support from your clinical nurse specialist, cancer charities, community services, and family and friends.