Stage 3 Lung Cancer

All types of cancer is classified in stages. Stage 3 Lung Cancer is considered the last stage of lung cancer. The classification of lung cancer in stages helps doctors to better ascertain how to treat it. Understanding as much as possible about the cancer makes it much easier to treat a patient and avoid mortal complications.

Basics of Cancer

Cancer is cause by unnatural cell growth. Lung cancer is abnormal cell growth in the lungs. It can occur in one or both lungs. While the actual cause of any type of cancer is not known, research has linked smoking to lung cancer in 87% of cases. However, it is important to understand that even a person who does not smoke could get lung cancer.

As cancer grows, it spreads. This is where categorizing in stages comes from. Cancer can be Stage 1, Stage 2 or Stage 3. Each stage is as follows:

Stage 1: Cancer that has not spread.

Stage 2: Cancer has spread to the lymph nodes in the lungs.

Stage 3: Cancer has spread to the chest walls and possibly other areas of the body.

These stage classifications are mainly used to set the course of treatment. The more advanced the stage, the more advanced the treatment.

Stage 3 Treatment

Stage 3 Lung Cancer, being the most advanced, is usually treated with much more severe and directed treatment than other stages. At Stage 3, lung cancer is often treated with surgery. Additionally, chemotherapy and sometimes radiation are used.

In general, though, treating Stage 3 Lung Cancer is very difficult and in most cases is not effective. At this stage the survival rate is not very high.

Ascertaining the Stage

To determine the stage at which the lung cancer is at, tests are usually ran. These include taking scans of the lungs and chest and possibly doing surgical biopsies. It is very important, as has been said, that the stage is discovered since this plays a large role in stopping the cancer and treating the patient.

Staging is not always done in the categories of stage 1, 2 or 3. For different types of lung cancer, staging may be done differently. However, the classification of Stage 1, Stage 2 and Stage 3 is the best known and is also used in other types of cancer. Most doctors will use this classification because it is well understood and familiar to the other doctors who will be working on the case.

Understanding the importance of the classification system helps both patients and doctors. The doctor will use this information to help treat the patient. Patients can get a good grasp on the severity of their condition through the process, as well.

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Stage 3 Lung Cancer

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Stage 3 Lung Cancer

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