Lung Cancer Stages

When it is first detected, lung cancer can be in any of a number of stages. The stage of cancer identifies how advanced the disease is and helps the doctor determine the best method of treatment for the individual patient. Tests that enable the doctor to properly determine how much the lung cancer has spread include:

Computed tomography (CT) scan: A CT scan is conducted by a computer that is connected to an X-ray machine. The scan takes very detailed pictures of the part(s) of the body being evaluated.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): This test utilizes a powerful magnet connected to a computer to take detailed pictures of the part of the body being evaluated.

Radionuclide Scanning: This technique allows the doctor to determine what stage a patient's cancer is in by having her swallow or receive an injection of a low-dose of radioactive material. A special machine will then record the changes in levels of radioactivity in the body.

Bone Scan: This method, during which levels of radioactivity are measured in certain areas of the body, reveals whether cancer has spread to the bones.

Mediastinoscopy/Mediastinotomy: Used to show whether cancer has spread to the lymph nodes in the chest, mediastinoscopy/mediastinotomy requires the doctor to:

1. use a bronchoscope to examine the chest and surrounding lymph node, and
2. extract a tissue sample.