The four stages of lung cancer are rated on a scale from stage I to stage IV (four), with IV being the most severe.
In talking about the stages of lung cancer in general, it is important to know that there are two major types of lung cancer: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). All types and stages of lung cancer have sub-level tiers of conditions, which is one way that oncologists can precisely diagnose and treat lung cancers.
Being diagnosed with any stage of lung cancer can feel devastating. In some cases, lung cancer can be caused by unknowing exposure to asbestos, which is the case for thousands of people pursuing lawsuits against manufacturers that used asbestos in their products. If you think you have a legal case against a party that was liable for your exposure to asbestos, good legal representation may make all the difference.
How Lung Cancer Spreads
Every case of cancer is unique, which makes it difficult to speak with certainty about how and where cancer can develop. However, there are some common factors in lung cancers with statistical evidence that shows there are some similar tendencies among people diagnosed with lung cancer.
Small Cell Lung Cancer vs. Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Although non-small cell lung cancer is more common, small cell lung cancers tend to grow more quickly than NSCLC. Therefore, both types of cancer should be seriously considered.
However, both cancers are alike in that the staging, or determining where and how the cancer has spread, ranges from stage I to stage IV. In the lower numbers, cancer is probably localized, or concentrated in one spot, and in later stages, it has spread to other organs or parts of the body. It is also possible for other kinds of cancer to spread to the lungs. If the cancer is found to have spread, oncologists may be able to determine the original location and type of cancer.
Staging Lung Cancer
Information on non-small cell lung cancer is more readily available because it is more common. CancerCare describes the four stages of non-small cell lung cancer as:
-
- Stage I: The cancer is “located only in the lungs and has not spread to any lymph nodes.”
- Stage II: The cancer is “in the lung and nearby lymph nodes.”
- Stage III: The cancer is locally advanced, “found in the lung and in the lymph nodes in the middle of the chest.”
- Stage IV: The cancer is advanced and “has spread to both lungs, to fluid in the area around the lungs, or to another part of the body, such as the liver or other organs.”
This is not an exhaustive list of the subtypes of cancers, which describe the extent of the tumors or cell changes found at each stage.
Treating Lung Cancer
After lung cancer is staged, doctors will use their findings to diagnose the severity of the cancer and recommend treatment options. Common treatment options for non-small cell lung cancer include:
- Surgery
- Radiation
- Chemotherapy
- Targeted treatments
- Immunotherapy
These treatments may be used alone or in combination with one another. On the other hand, chemotherapy is considered essential for the treatment of small cell lung cancer.
Treating cancer can be as complicated as diagnosing it, and no cancer can truly be cured, as there is always the risk of recurring cases. However, in the treatment of most cancers, the disease is said to be relatively “cured” when it does not come back after five years.
Cancer treatment with harsh side effects, big expenses, and the chance of failure. If you or a loved one has lung cancer that was caused by another party’s negligence, you may be entitled to receive compensation for your damages.
Lung Cancer Lawsuit Options
For people who can trace exposure to asbestos to another liable party, there may be legal options to pursue. People with lung cancer may have extra expenses from medical bills, the lost ability to work, mental distress from a cancer diagnosis, and even funeral expenses in the worst cases.
A personal injury lawyer can help advise you of your legal options if you think asbestos exposure played a part in your cancer diagnosis. Besides the massive class-action lawsuits that Johnson & Johnson faces for asbestos exposure, there are other possible actions for more nuanced situations. Your circumstances will not be exactly like anyone else’s, and a lawyer can explain how you may be able to proceed.
For a free legal consultation, call (800) 217-6099
Pintas & Mullins Law Firm Represents People with Cancer
Our law firm wants to represent your asbestos exposure case because we care about getting you the settlement you deserve. You can call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 217-6099 to discuss your cancer diagnosis and history of asbestos exposure with a member of our team. Call today so we can get started working on your case.
Call or text (800) 217-6099 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
