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.

Non-small cell lung cancer survival by stage*

While these numbers provide an overall picture, keep in mind that every person's situation is unique and the statistics can't predict exactly what will happen in your case. Talk with your cancer care team if you have questions about your own chances of a cure, or how long you might survive your cancer. They know your situation best.

* The numbers above are from the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, based on people who were diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer between 1988 and 2001.

The 5-year survival rate refers to the percentage of patients who live at least 5 years after their cancer is found. Of course, some patients live much longer than 5 years. Five-year relative survival rates means that people who die of other causes are not included, and the rate only includes people who die from lung cancer.

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