Staging
Staging is a process that tells a doctor if the cancer has spread and if it has, how far. It depends on the severity of the tumor and whether the cancer has invaded nearby tissues and spread to other parts of the body. Staging is an important factor in determining prognosis and treatment options.
Stage Ia
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Description
- Cancer is found in the parietal pleura, the outermost layer of the pleura that lines the inside of the chest cavity.
Treatment
- Surgery in the form of extrapleural pneumonectomy or pleural/decortication can be offered if the tumor is resectable. This may be followed by chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy depending on the extend and the ability to completely remove the tumor.
Stage Ib
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Description
- Cancer is found in both the parietal pleura and visceral pleura, which is a membrane that lines the outer surface of the lungs.
Treatment
- Surgery (Extrapleural pneumonectomy or pleural/decortication) if the tumor is resectable. This may be followed by chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy.
Stage II
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Description
- Cancer has invaded one lung or the diaphragm.
Treatment
- Surgery (Extrapleural pneumonectomy or pleural/decortication) if the tumor is resectable. Chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy if surgery is not an option.
Stage III
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Description
- Cancer has invaded the pericardium, part of the chest wall, or nearby lymph nodes.
Treatment
- Surgery (Extrapleural pneumonectomy or pleural/decortication) if the tumor is resectable. Chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy if surgery is not an option.
Stage IV
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Description
- Cancer may have spread to the second lung, distant organs, multiple parts of the chest wall, or across the diaphragm.
Treatment
- Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, clinical trials, palliative treatments.
