Overview

Small cell lung cancers account for roughly 13% of all lung cancers1 and are primarily diagnosed in smokers or former smokers. They differ from other types of lung cancer in that they spread very quickly throughout the body via the blood and lymphatic system.

Accurate staging of small cell lung cancer is essential before definitive therapy can begin. For many years, a simple staging system has been used to separate small cell lung cancer into two stages: limited and extensive. More recently, the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) developed a new TNM (tumor, node, metastasis) system of staging that classifies small cell lung cancer into several categories ranging from Stage 0 to Stage IV.2 Because the two-stage system continues to guide treatment decisions, that is the system that is used on this website.

Limited and extensive small cell lung cancer are treated differently; therefore, your primary cancer doctor will perform a variety of tests to determine the stage of the disease and thus, the optimal treatment strategy. If these staging tests suggest that your cancer is confined to one side of your chest, then you will be diagnosed with limited stage small cell lung cancer. Otherwise, you will be diagnosed with extensive disease. Select from the following general stages of cancer in order to learn more about treatment options.

Limited Small Cell Lung Cancer: The cancer is confined to a single side of the chest.

Extensive Small Cell Lung Cancer: The cancer is not confined to a single side of the chest.

Recurrent/Relapsed: The lung cancer has been detected or returned (recurred/relapsed) following an initial treatment.

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