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Last Updated on May 30, 2023 by Shabnam Sengupta
Lung cancer continues to be one of the most prevalent and deadly forms of cancer worldwide. It’s devastating impact on individuals and their families has spurred extensive research and medical advancements in the quest for a cure. While early detection has been proven to significantly improve the chances of successful treatment and long-term survival, the question remains: Is it possible to achieve a cure for lung cancer when detected at an early stage? By examining the stage of lung cancer, we can gain insight into the potential for a curative approach that offers hope to those diagnosed with this formidable disease. Staging also gives an idea to doctors whether lung cancer will come back. In this article, we will discuss different stages of lung cancer. We will also examine the possibility of curing lung cancer if caught early.
What are the stages of lung cancer?
There are different stages of lung cancer based on disease location and spread which is a good indicator of prognosis. Occult lung cancer is an early-stage lung cancer where the cancer is mostly hidden and does not show up in a scan or biopsy. However, the cells might be picked from mucus or cough. Another early stage of lung cancer is stage 0 where the tumour is small, and the cancer cells have not spread into the deeper lung tissues or outside the lungs. At stage I, cancer cells extend to the deeper lung tissues. In stage II, cancer cells reach the lymph nodes. At stage III, cancer cells reach the lymph nodes and the middle of the chest. At stage IV, cancer cells spread into the bones, brain, liver etc.
Is it possible to cure lung cancer when detected at an early stage?
Not always, as cancer cells are never completely killed within the body. However, lung cancer is highly treatable when diagnosed at an early stage. The American Society of Clinical Oncology says that lung cancer has an almost 80 to 90% cure rate if caught early when it is still small. When lung cancer is diagnosed at the occult stage, stage 0, I or II, the condition is treatable. However, it becomes quite difficult for doctors to treat lung cancer when cancer cells have spread into the lymph nodes, chest, brain, bones, liver etc. The difficulty level increases at the advanced stages because it is quite difficult to find and kill each cancer cell that has already spread in the majority of the area within the body.
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