Small Cell Lung Cancer Staging

Lung cancer, the leading cause of death related to cancer worldwide. It is a condition of cancer cells that uncontrollably grows and spreads to other parts of the lungs or beyond the lungs. Abnormal cells replace healthy cells and damages the lungs. With 5% survival rate, it is vital to treat patients with lung disease at an early stage. However, symptoms for this cancer can only caught at a later stage.

Lung cancer has two types, the non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and the small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Each type is different from lung cancer staging, prognosis and treatments.

Lung cancer staging must be accurate because it is the basis of oncologists in finding out the status or the stage of the patients illness. Once the stage is known, that is when they can provide the treatment options.

NSCLC is divided into 4 stages just like the other diseases. Stages 1, 2 and 3 are subdivided into subtypes A and B. This type follows the TNM staging system. The acronym TNM stands for tumor, nodes and metastasis. This system helps the doctor to find out the aggressiveness and spread of tumor. Aside from that, the size of the tumor can be found out using the said system.

Unlike NSCLC, SCLC type follows a different lung cancer staging system. Victims of small cell lung cancer are mostly the smokers, especially heavy smokers. It tends to grow and spread very quick. The cancer cannot be seen during scanning if it is already spreading. Oncologists find it unhelpful for them to use the TNM staging system in describing SCLC.

If NSCLC has 4 stages, SCLC type is divided into two more stages: limited stage and extensive stage.
There are more tests and studies done in staging SCLC. To name a few, these are complete blood count, liver functions tests, chest x-ray, bone scan and complete physical examination of the affected person.

Limited stage means the tumor can be found only in one particular area or only present in one half of the chest and in central lymph nodes. While extensive stage, refers to tumors that exceeds the limited stage criteria. It suggests the cancer cells has already metastasized to the opposite lung or beyond your lungs. Cancer spreads to the fluids all over your lungs can also be considered under this stage.

Treatment for SCLC is based entirely whether the cancer is under limited or extensive stage. It can help you further understand the lung cancer staging for SCLC together with your oncologist and discuss the corresponding treatment options for your illness.