- Cancer staging is the way that doctors are able to diagnose how far a cancer has developed and what types of treatment may need to happen. For lung cancer, stage diagnosis may be discerned through a combination of X-rays, blood tests and biopsies. The two types of lung cancer, small cell and non-small cell, are staged differently because of differences in how the cancer spreads.
- Small-cell lung cancer spreads must faster than non-small cell. This is why it is very hard to catch small-cell lung cancer at its inception. In the limited stage, small-cell lung cancer has invaded at least one lung and the fluids near it or lymph nodes. Symptoms associated with the limited stage include shortness of breath, coughing up blood and chest pains.
- The extensive small-cell cancer stage is reached when the cancer has spread beyond the lungs and into surrounding organs such as the throat, liver and even the pelvis. If the cancer has spread to the brain, dizziness and persistent headaches can ensue. Paralysis could occur if the cancer compresses on the vertebrae and its nerves. A persistent wheezing sound and even paralysis of the vocal cords could occur if the cancer cells invade throat tissues. The list of additional symptoms could be endless, depending on how many of the surrounding organs are affected with cancer, and each organ is affected differently.
- Non-small cell (NSC) lung cancer in stage 1 is a localized cancer. The tumor has developed in one lung and has not spread to other areas. If it is stage 1A, the tumor is less than 3 cm; 1B indicates it is in the main bronchus, possibly causing slight difficulty breathing and a persistent cough. There may also be chest pains specific to the tumor location.
- In stage 2A of NSC, the lymph nodes are affected by the tumor that is closest to the affected lung. With 2B, the cancer is bigger than 3 cm and may have grown into the chest wall without getting into the lymph nodes. Coughing up blood, shortness of breath and weight loss are associated symptoms. The combination of weight loss and shortness of breath could lead to fatigue. Since lymph nodes are affected and the antibodies may not be as productive, the lungs may be more vulnerable to sicknesses such as pneumonia or bronchitis.
- Stage 3A NSC lung cancer means that there are cancer cells or tumors in nodes other than those closest to the affected lung. It could also mean that cancer has spread to either the middle of the chest, chest wall or lung covering. Stage 3B means that nodes above the collarbone are infected, lung fluids are infected or a major chest structure is affected. Symptoms like a swollen chest could occur if the tumor presses against a major vein. Numbness in the face and drooping eyes happens when pressure is put on nerves located in the upper lung.
- At stage 4 of NSC, the lung cancer has most likely spread to other body parts like the liver. Jaundice could occur if the liver breaks down. Fluid collection around the abdomen could increase. Increased swelling in the chest and face, difficulty swallowing and general bone pain are all symptoms associated with NSC stage 4 lung cancer.
