Lung Cancer( Non Small Cell)

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Lung Cancer( Non Small Cell)

What is non-small cell lung cancer?

Non-small cell lung cancer is one type of lung cancer. Lung cancer happens when normal lung cells become abnormal and grow uncontrollably. There are different types of lung cancer, some of which grow faster than others. Non-small cell lung cancer is the most common type and typically grows slower than another type called small cell lung cancer.

What is lung cancer staging?

Cancer staging is a way doctors determine how far cancer has spread in the body. For non-small cell lung cancer, stages are described as stage 1, 2, 3, or 4 (sometimes written as I, II, III, or IV). Staging can sometimes be tricky, as a doctor might initially believe the cancer is stage 1 or 2, but after surgery, further tests may reveal that it is actually stage 3.

Here are the main differences between stages:

Stage 1: The cancer is in either the left or right lung and has not spread outside the lung or to lymph nodes (small organs that fight infection). Stage 1 cancers are usually small.
Stage 2: The cancer has spread to nearby parts of the lung, such as lymph nodes in the lung or the lining around the lung. Stage 2 cancers vary in size.
Stage 3: The cancer may be large or have spread to lymph nodes in the chest.
Stage 4: The cancer has spread to the other lung or to other parts of the body, such as the brain or bones. It’s also considered stage 4 if it causes fluid to build up around the lungs.

Your treatment will depend largely on the stage of your cancer.

How are stage 1 and stage 2 non-small cell lung cancers treated?

People with stage 1 or stage 2 non-small cell lung cancer are usually treated with surgery to remove the cancer. Depending on the case, part of the lung or the whole lung may need to be removed. People who have one lung removed can still breathe with the other lung.

People with stage 1 cancer might not need any further treatment after surgery. However, those with stage 2 cancer usually need additional treatments, such as:

Radiation therapy: Radiation kills cancer cells. Some people who cannot or do not want surgery may receive radiation therapy instead.
Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy involves medications that kill or stop the growth of cancer cells.
Other treatments: Depending on the cancer’s characteristics, additional treatments such as immunotherapy (which helps the body’s immune system fight cancer) or targeted therapy (which targets specific cancer traits) may be used.

Sometimes, people with stage 1 or 2 cancer are treated with radiation therapy instead of surgery, especially if they have other health issues that prevent surgery.

How is stage 3 non-small cell lung cancer treated?

Stage 3 non-small cell lung cancer is treated in various ways, depending on where the cancer is located, its size, and the treatments a person has already had. People with stage 3 lung cancer may undergo:

Chemotherapy
Radiation therapy
Immunotherapy
Surgery

Doctors also treat Pancoast tumors (a type of lung cancer growing in the top part of the lung) with some of these treatments.

Lung Cancer( Non Small Cell)

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