Staging is the process of finding out how far the cancer has spread. This is very important because your treatment and the outlook for your recovery depend on the stage of your cancer. The tests described above are also used to stage lung cancer.

There are really 2 types of staging.

• The clinical stage of the cancer is based on the results of the physical exam, biopsies, and tests like CT scans, chest x-rays, and PET scans.

• If you have surgery, your doctor can also give you a pathologic stage. It is based on the same factors as the clinical stage, plus what is found as a result of the surgery.

In some cases, the clinical and pathologic stages may be different. For instance, during surgery the doctor may find cancer in a place that did not show up on the tests, which might give the cancer a more advanced pathologic stage.

Because most patients with lung cancer do not have surgery, the clinical stage is used most often.

There are different staging systems for small cell and non-small cell lung cancer.

Staging of non-small cell lung cancer

The system used to stage non-small cell lung cancer is the AJCC (American Joint Committee on Cancer) system. Stages are described using Roman numerals from 0 to IV (0 to 4). Some stages are further divided into A and B. As a rule, the lower the number, the less the cancer has spread. A higher number, such as stage IV (4), means a more advanced cancer.

After looking at your test results, the doctor will tell you the stage of your cancer. Be sure to ask your doctor to explain your stage in a way you understand. This will help you both decide on the best treatment for you.

Last Medical Review: 11/03/2009
Last Revised: 11/03/2009