Definition
Lung cancer is the most common form of cancer throughout the entire world. It is the leading cancer killer of both men and women and even kills more women than breast cancer does. Lung cancer was relatively rare until the 1930s when smoking and other tobacco-based products became more readily available. There are two main forms of lung cancer, one is referred to as small cell lung cancer and the other is non-small cell lung cancer. Non-small cell lung cancer has four stages, while small cell lung cancer works on a two-tiered system.
Small Cell Lung Cancer
Small cell lung cancer affects less people than non-small cell lung cancer. However, this form of lung cancer is the most aggressive. Small cell lung cancer has two stages: the limited stage and the extensive stage. During the limited stage the cancer is still confined to the area of origin, usually in the chest. In the extensive stage, the cancer has spread beyond the chest and into other parts of the body. In most individuals, this cancer is deadly because it is usually not discovered until it has spread into other parts of the body.
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
This form of lung cancer has four stages, three of which are divided into two substages. During stage one, the cancer is fairly limited and has not affected any surrounding lymph nodes. Stage 1A is diagnosed when the tumors are the smallest in size, approximately less than three centimeters. Stage 1B represents tumors that are between 3 and 5 centimeters.
During stage 2A, the tumors are between five centimeters and seven centimeters in size. However, it can also mean that the tumors are less than five centimeters but have spread into surrounding lymph nodes. In stage 2B, the tumors are larger at seven centimeters but have not spread into the lymph nodes. However, during this stage the cancer can spread to other areas of the body such as the chest wall or the diaphragm.
In stage 3, the lung may collapse or become inflamed. In stage 3A, the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes and the tumors are larger than seven centimeters in size. This stage can also mean that the cancer has spread into the chest wall, the diaphragm or even the outer layers of the heart. During stage 3B, the cancer can be at any size but has spread into the lymph nodes on the far sides of the chest. It can also mean that the lymph nodes within the center of the chest have been affected, as well as the outer layers of the heart, the diaphragm or the chest wall.
The last stage of lung cancer, stage 4, is the most severe stage. Stage 4 lung cancer will affect both of the lungs. During this stage, the cancer has spread to other parts of the body such as the heart or the bones. It may also cause a buildup of fluid around the lungs or the heart.
Tags: lung cancer, stage cancer, lymph nodes, cancer spread, spread into, cell lung cancer