Stage 4 Non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

What is Stage 4 non small cell lung cancer?

Stage 4 non small cell lung cancer is known to be the most advanced stage as the cancer has spread or metastasized to other parts of the body. It is extremely hard to treat as compared to earlier stages of NSCLC.

Visual representation of affected areas when a patient is at Stage 4 NSCLC

Read more on what is lung cancer here

TNM categories for stage 4

At stage for the tumor can be of any size and may or may not have spread into the lymph nodes. At stage 4, one or more of the following features may be present:

  • The cancer has spread to the other lung.
  • Cancer cells are present in the fluid surrounding the lungs and this is also known as a malignant pleural effusion.
  • Cancer cells are also present in the fluid surrounding the heart and this is also known as a malignant pericardial effusion.

Related Posts: