what is lung cancer

Cancer is a disease in which cells in the body grow out of control. When cancer starts in the lungs, it is called lung cancer.  Cancer from other organs also may spread to the lungs. When cancer cells spread from one organ to another, they are called metastases.1

Frequently Asked Questions

  • When should I see a doctor?
  • What are the risk factors?
  • What are the symptoms?5

Staging of cancer

After someone is diagnosed with cancer, doctors will try to figure out if it has spread, and if so, how far. This process is called staging. The stage of a cancer describes how much cancer is in the body. It helps determine how serious the cancer is and how best to treat it.4
Stage 1 Cancerous cells are only in the lung(s)
Stage 2 Cancer has spread to lymph nodes that are on the same side of the cancer.
Stage 3 Cancerous cells have possibly spread to the lymph nodes
Stage 4 Cancerous cells have possibly spread to other organs of the body


You and your doctor will choose a cancer management plan based on a number of factors, such as your overall health, the type and stage of your cancer, and your preferences.

Staging of cancer

After someone is diagnosed with cancer, doctors will try to figure out if it has spread, and if so, how far. This process is called staging. The stage of a cancer describes how much cancer is in the body. It helps determine how serious the cancer is and how best to treat it.4
Stage 1 Cancerous cells are only in the lung(s)
Stage 2 Cancer has spread to lymph nodes that are on the same side of the cancer.
Stage 3 Cancerous cells have possibly spread to the lymph nodes
Stage 4 Cancerous cells have possibly spread to other organs of the body


You and your doctor will choose a cancer management plan based on a number of factors, such as your overall health, the type and stage of your cancer, and your preferences.

  • 1.https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/lung/basic_info/what-is-lung-cancer.htm
  • 2.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6037972/
  • 3.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22974775/
  • 4.https://www.cancer.org/cancer/lung-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/staging-nsclc.html
  • 5.https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lung-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20374620
  • 6.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18452692/
  • 7.Details can be found at https://www.news-medical.net/health/Laparoscopic-Surgery-Advantages.aspx
  • 8.da Luz Moreira et al; Surgical Endoscopy. 2010 Jun;24(6):1280-6. doi: 10.1007/s00464-009-0761-3. Epub 2009 Dec 24. Additional details are available by visiting https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=PMID%3A+20033728
  • 9.Details can be found at https://www.news-medical.net/health/Laparoscopic-Surgery-Advantages.aspx
  • 10.Additional details are available by visiting https://www.news-medical.net/health/Laparoscopic-Surgery-Advantages.aspx and https://www.fascrs.org/patients/disease-condition/minimally-invasive-surgery-expanded-version
  • 11.Details can be found at https://www.news-medical.net/health/Laparoscopic-Surgery-Advantages.aspx
  • 12.https://www.cancer.org/cancer/lung-cancer/about/key-statistics.html
  • 13.https://acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.3322/caac.21660