Lung Cancer Stages

There are four stages of lung cancer, each stage a reflection of the growth of the cancer within the body. Before we take a closer look at these stages, let's take a closer look at exactly how this disease begins.

Cells are the building blocks of the body. We know very well that cells grow, divide, and proliferate with the needs of the body in order to keep us healthy. Sometimes cells will divide among themselves even though there is no need to multiply and the mass of extra cells forms a tumor or cancer. An uncontrolled and rapid growth of lung cells is called lung cancer.

Forming in the tissues of the lung, and often in the cells that line the air passages, lung cancer is an aggressive cancer. If it's not diagnosed early in the process of growth, the prognosis can be very poor.

Lung cancer stages are a way of identifying the seriousness of the disease. Stage 1 is the least life theatening and has the highest hope of recovery for the patient. Stage 4 is the most serious stage of lung cancer, when the cancer has metastasized and spread to other areas of the body. This stage is the most severe and most life threatening. All four stages are serious.

Here's a quick overview of the lung cancer stages:

Stage 1: the cancer is confined to lung tissue, the recovery rate is 67%
Stage 2: the cancer is confined to lung tissue and the lymph nodes within the lungs, the recovery rate is 40-50%
Stage 3: the cancer is confined to lung tissue and the lymph nodes both inside and outside the lung, the recovery rate is less than 60%
Stage 4: the cancer has spread to the liver, adrenal glands, bone, brain, and/or other sites, the recovery rate varies

The stage of development, in combination with the type of lung cancer (non-small cell or small cell) that has formed, determines the treatment options that are most likely to be successful. For instance, the main treatment for Stage 1 non-small cell lung cancer is surgery, while the treatment for Stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer is chemotherapy plus radiation.

While the recovery rates for lung cancer, in all stages, have continued to improve over the years as researchers have learned more about the disease, we still have a long way to go. However, the earlier you catch lung cancer, the better your chances of beating the disease. That's why it's essential to understand the symptoms and visit with your doctor regularly.

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