Stages of Small Cell Lung Cancer

Cancer stage describes the extent of cancer in the body, such as the size of the tumor, whether it has spread, and how far it has spread from where it first formed. It is important to know the stage of small cell lung cancer to plan the best treatment.  

Small cell lung cancer is usually classified into two stages due to its tendency to spread early.

The following stages are used for small cell lung cancer:

Limited-stage small cell lung cancer

In limited-stage, cancer is in the lung where it started and may have spread to the area between the lungs or to the lymph nodes above the collarbone.

Extensive-stage small cell lung cancer

In extensive-stage, cancer has spread beyond the lung or the area between the lungs or the lymph nodes above the collarbone to other places in the body.

Small cell lung cancer can recur (come back) after it has been treated.

Recurrent cancer is cancer that has recurred (come back) after it has been treated. If small cell lung cancer comes back, it may come back in the chest, central nervous system, or in other parts of the body. Tests will be done to help determine where the cancer has returned. The type of treatment for small cell lung cancer will depend on where it has come back.

Learn more in Recurrent Cancer: When Cancer Comes Back. Information to help you cope and talk with your health care team can be found in the booklet When Cancer Returns.