Early Stages of Lung Cancer

More individuals fall victim to lung cancer every year than to any other form of the disease. Less than 50 percent of those who are diagnosed survive the first year and less than 5 percent have a five-year survival rate if their cancer has metastasized to other areas of the body. If diagnosed in the early stages, however, the number of persons who exceed the 5-year survival rate increases to nearly 50 percent.

What Is Staging?

Lung cancer---like most cancers---is identified by different stages. The various "stages" apply to the extent to which the cancer has invaded an individual's body. When referring to lung cancer staging is determined by the size of the tumor or mass of cancerous cells and whether those cells have spread to the lymph nodes or other major organs. Knowing the "stage" of lung cancer an individual is experiencing is crucial for properly determining the best treatment method since most lung cancer treatments are stage-specific. Staging is also an important tool when issuing a prognosis.

Determining Stages of Lung Cancer

Several testing methods are employed when staging lung cancer, including blood tests, X-rays, CT (computed tomography), bone and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans. Abnormal blood test results could indicate that the lung cancer has metastasized to the bone and/or liver. Scans also can measure a tumor's size and whether it has extended to other organs.

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

The first two stages of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)---which accounts for nearly 80 percent of all lung cancers---are considered the "early" stages. In Stage 1A of the cancer is small (about 1.25 inches) and is confined to the lungs. Stage 1B tumors range from 1.25 to just under 2 inches. In both cases the cancer has not spread to the lymph nodes or other areas of the body. In Stage 2, the cancerous tumor may measure between 1.9 and 2.75 inches and has moved into the lymph nodes of the neighboring lung.

Small Cell Lung Cancer

The two stages of small cell lung cancer are either limited and extensive. In the limited-stage of the disease the cancerous cells only appear in one lung and surrounding lymph nodes. When the cancer travels to other areas of the body it enters the extensive-stage.