Cancer is classified into stages which are used to describe the size and growth of cancer in the body. Oncologists consider these stages when determining the prognosis and the treatment options for people with cancer, including lung cancer.
Some doctors do not use the numbered stages, but prefer a staging classification called the TNM System. TNM stands for Tumor, Nodes (lymph nodes), and Metastasis. These two ways to name the stages really are referring to the same stages but in a different way and they are equally used to determine the prognosis of the cancer patient.
Dr. Chachoua is an oncologist at NYU Langone Health who specializes in treating cancers of the lung and chest.
References
American Lung Association. (2022). Diagnosing and treating lung cancer.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Lung cancer: What screening tests are there?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). What are the risk factors for lung cancer?
National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). Lung cancer-patient version.
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