Donate
Donate

Stages

Lung Cancer

Once lung cancer is diagnosed and the type of lung cancer is identified, your doctor needs to determine where cancer is located in your body. This information is required to determine the stage of your cancer.

It is important to know your stage of lung cancer as this will indicate to your doctor what are the recommended best treatment options for you.

An internationally agreed staging system called “TNM” staging is used for lung cancer. Both non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer are staged using the TNM staging system.

The staging system for lung cancer is complex and often changes, so ask your doctor to explain how it applies to you.

TNM staging

The descriptors of the TNM staging system are:

T stands for TUMOUR —  and indicates the size of the tumour and the depth of any tumour invasion into the lung.

N stands for NODES — indicates if the tumour has spread to nearby lymph nodes.

M stands for METASTASIS — and indicates whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body..

Once the T, N, and M categories have been determined, this information is combined in a process called stage grouping to assign an overall stage.

  • Stage I

    Cancer cells are limited to the lung. Tissue around the lung remains normal.

  • Stage II

    Cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes or the lining of the lungs. Depending on the tumour size, stage ll is divided into IIA and IIB.

  • Stage III

    Cancer has spread to the lymph nodes in the centre of the chest between the heart and lungs (the mediastinum) or has grown into the chest wall or the outer lining that surrounds the heart (the pericardium). Blood vessels in this area may also be affected. Or, cancer is found in the lymph nodes on the opposite side of the chest where the tumour fist developed. Cancer may also have spread to the lower neck.

  • Stage IV

    Cancer has spread to the other lung, found in fluid around the heart or lung, or spread to other parts of the body. This includes distant lymph nodes or to other organs such as bones, liver and brain.

Lung Cancer Support Nurse
The Lung Cancer Support Nurse provides a telephone-based service for patients, their families and carers at any stage of their lung cancer journey. To arrange a free telephone appointment contact the Information and Support Centre on freecall 1800 654 301 or complete the form linked below.
Book an appointment

National Lung Cancer Screening Program

Lung Cancer Screening icon

Please visit the National Lung Cancer Screening Program website to learn more about the new screening program coming in July 2025. The NLCSP website provides participants, healthcare providers and other stakeholders with important information about the program, including:

  • Information about why lung screening is important, who is eligible for the program and details about how lung screening will work
  • Details about the implementation of the program and the work underway to ensure an equitable, accessible and culturally safe national lung screening program from July 2025
  • The important role of healthcare providers and support available to ensure the successful delivery of the program
  • The program’s advisory bodies, clinical and jurisdictions, and contacts for the Department.

The website will be regularly updated as design and implementation continues to progress ahead of the launch of the program in July 2025.

Learn more