Staging questions

[ajk44]

If lung cancer is contained to both lungs is it still considered Stage 4? My mom's doctor just ran a PET Scan and confirmed other suspicious areas outside her lungs are negative or benign - does that change her diagnosis? They didn't mention...

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer]

A tumor that has spread to the other lung is considered a stage 4.

Other factors that affect a stage 4 diagnosis are:

Size of primary. If it’s 7cm or larger it’s considered stage 4.

If there’s 2 or more separate nodules in different lobes of the same lung.

It’s not considered metastatic disease unless there is a nodule outside the lung.

[ajk44 in reply to Denzie]

Thank you!

[JanetteR57]

This explanation in plain English by Cancer research Uk may help.... as there are several factors at play - hope it helps... cancerresearchuk.org/about-...

[Steph60 in reply to JanetteR57]

Thank you so much for the link. It was most informative.