clymphoma cancer stages | Stages of lung cancer

Stages of lung cancer


The different stages of lung cancer make it possible to situate the severity of the disease. This can go as far as becoming a metastasized cancer. In any case, it is the risk factors that increase the likelihood of getting sick. First cancer for its high mortality, this pathology holds still dark statistics.

The 4 stages of lung cancer
Lung cancer can first be classified into four main stages. The prognosis for stage I lung cancer is better than that of stage IV.

One distinguishes:
Stage I, when the diameter of the tumor measures maximum 3 cm and remains confined to the lung;
Stage II, when the tumor reaches the lymph nodes of the bronchi or those located at the level of the hilum;
Stage III, when the tumor caused metastases to the lymph nodes of the mediastinum;
Stage IV, when the tumor spread to the pleura, the other lung or other organs (liver, adrenal glands, bone, brain...). This is called metastasized lung cancer.


TNM Classification to specify stages of lung cancer
The TNM classification (for tumours, nodes – lymph nodes in English – and metastasis) is the one adopted internationally to describe the anatomical extent of cancers, including that of the non-small-cell lung (80% of cancers of Lung).

Good to know: small cell carcinomas are aggressive fast-changing cancers that tend to metastasize.

Cancer stage

"T" for the Classification of tumors
Here's how the lung tumor is determined:

Tx if it is impossible to evaluate because invisible to the imagery;

T0 if no signs of a primitive lung tumor are found;

Tis, for "in situ", if the lung tumor is very localized;

T1 If the tumor is up to 3 cm and remains localized to the lung. We then distinguish:

T1A if it is less than 2 cm;

T1b if it is between 2 and 3 cm;

T2 in 2 cases:

If the tumor is between 3 and 7 cm;

or if:

It reaches the stem bronchi (more than 2 cm from the keel, the dividing area of the trachea into two strain bronchi);

it reaches the pleura;

It is accompanied by pulmonary inflammation, pneumonia or atelectasis (sagging of the pulmonary alveoli).

We also distinguish:

T2A for tumours measuring 3 to 5 cm;

T2B for tumors with a diameter between 5 and 7 cm.

T3 means:

A tumor measuring more than 7 cm;

A tumor with one or more separate pulmonary nodules in the same lobe;

A tumor that associates with a complete chronic obstructive obstructive or atelectasis;

A tumor that has reached at least one of these structures:

The bronchial stem (but less than 2 cm from the keel);

the diaphragm;

The phrenic nerve (which innerves the diaphragm);

The pleura;

The pericardium (envelope of the heart);

The chest wall.

T4 if the tumor, whatever its size, spread in the body and reached:

or the mediastinum;

or trachea;

or esophagus;

or heart;

or large blood vessels;

or vertebrae;

or laryngeal nerves (nerves of the larynx).

Or if you find one or more nodules whether or not they are located in the same pulmonary lobe.

"N" for the Classification of lymph nodes (nodes)

The listing of lymph nodes indicates:

NX if it is impossible to assess the attainment of regional lymph nodes;

N0 in the absence of metaganglion metastasis;

N1 in case of:

or ganglionic metastases;

Or propagation in the lymph nodes:

Intrapulmonary

Surrounding the bronchi;

Located at the level of the pulmonary hilum.

N2 in the case of ganglion metastasis affecting:

Either the lymph nodes of the mediastinum on the same side as the tumor;

The lymph nodes beneath the hull.

N3 if metastases ganglion affect:

Either the lymph nodes of the mediastinum or the hilum on the side opposite the tumor;

Either the lymph nodes of the neck muscles;

Or the lymph nodes above the clavicle.

"M" for the classification of metastases

The M allows to distinguish:

M0 in the absence of metastasis;

M1 in case of metastasis:

1a in the case of nodules in the opposite lung or in the pleura;

1b in case of remote metastasis.

Synthesis of the stages of lung cancer and TNM

It is possible to link the information of the stages and the TNM classification to indicate a pulmonary cancer with precision. For example, we will talk about:

Stage IA T1 N0 M0 If the tumor measures less than 3 cm without spreading;

Stage IIB T2b N1 M0 If the tumor is between 5 and 7 cm or has one of the characteristics peculiar to the T2b stage with ganglionic impairment, but without metastasis.