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Non-small cell lung cancer

Non-small cell lung cancer is the most common type of lung cancer, diagnosed in 85 to 90% of lung cancer cases. There are several subtypes of non-small cell lung cancer1:



Adenocarcinoma is usually found in outer parts of the lung. It tends to grow slower than other types of lung cancer, and is more likely to be found before it has spread outside of the lung.


This type of cancer accounts for about 10% to 15% of lung cancers. It can appear in any part of the lung. It tends to grow and spread quickly, which can make it harder to treat. A subtype of large cell carcinoma, known as large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma, is a fast-growing cancer that is very similar to small cell lung cancer.


Stages of non-small cell lung cancer

Treatment and prognosis are based on the stage of cancer, which is how far it has spread. There are two types of stages for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)2:

  1. Clinical - Based on the results of the physical exam, biopsies, and imaging tests (CT scan, chest x-ray, PET scan, bone scan).
  2. Pathologic – Clinical stage factors plus results of surgery, which may reveal cancer in other places.

TNM staging system

The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) uses the TNM staging system3, which is based on three key pieces of information:

  • T - Refers to size, extent or penetration of the main tumor.
  • N - Refers to node, including how many nearby nodes have cancer and their location.
  • M - Refers to distant metastasis, or spread of cancer cells outside the local tumor.

Numbers are assigned to each of the T, N and M categories to indicate severity and then the information is combined to assign an overall stage of I, II, III or IV of lung cancer. This process is called stage grouping. Stage I is early-stage cancer and stage IV cancer is advanced (has usually spread to other parts of the body)4. Patients with lower-number stages tend to have a better outlook2.

  • Occult (hidden cancer) - Tumor cells found in sputum, but not in imaging tests.
  • Stage 0 - Abnormal cells found only in the innermost lining of the lung, also referred to as "carcinoma in situ" that is non-invasive.
  • Stage IA/B - Invasive cancer that has grown deeper into lung tissue, but has not invaded nearby tissues or lymph nodes. Tumor is 5 cm wide or less.
  • Stage IIA/B - Tumor is less than 7 cm wide, and cancer cells are found in nearby lymph nodes or tissues, such as chest walls. May be multiple tumors.
  • Stage IIIA/B - Tumor may be any size and there may be multiple malignant tumors in the lung. Cancer cells may have invaded lymph nodes in chest/neck and tumor may have invaded nearby organs such as esophagus or heart.
  • Stage IV - Malignant tumors in both lungs. Or, cancer may have spread to other parts of the body, such as bones, brain or liver, or in fluid between the pleura layers in the lungs.


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