About Stage IV Lung Cancer

Staging of lung cancer is done to identify the spread of the cancer to other parts of the body. the prognosis of the patient is determined using the stage of the cancer in which the patient is in. with staging the way the patient should be treated for cancer is also determined. The Non-Small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is divided into stages from I to IV. During stage one the cancer is found only in the lung and it is in the early stages with small tumors. In stage II and III the cancer is limited to the chest and the tumors are large and more invasive. In Stage IV the lung cancer will be spread to the other parts of the body through the bloodstream and the lymphatic system. The most affected part due to this kind of spread of the cancer is the brain. This kind of spreading of the Stage IV lung cancer is called Metastatic cancer. The area affected is called the metastases.

The stage IV lung cancer can spread to the bones, liver, and the adrenal glands apart from being spread to the brain. Diagnosis during stage IV lung cancer is done through normal chest x-rays, CT scans, bone scans, and blood tests. Bone scans done during the stage IV lung cancer might reveal metastases in the bone. In this test a radioactive material is injected to the bloodstream so that the metastases absorb the radioactive material more. Scanning done to locate the radioactive material reveals the metastases. This is recorded permanently. Blood tests done during Stage IV lung cancer also reveal the presence of metastases. For example an increased level of calcium in the blood indicates the presence of metastases in the bone. An increased level of enzymes like aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase indicates the presence of metastases in the liver. Such abnormalities in the blood can be revealed through blood tests which could be an indication of the spread of the cancer to the bones and the liver.

The first step to any cancer treatment is to stop the growth of the cancerous cells and then to treat them or remove them. As a precautionary step areas like the brain are treated with radiotherapy to prevent the spread of cancer to those areas. This is done by an radiation oncologist. Exposing the brain to radiation may have side effects. Hence a patient has to discuss with the doctor before radiotherapy for the brain is done. Depending on the area to which cancer has spread treatments are also combined. For example combining chemotherapy and radiotherapy can be done to treat Stage IV lung cancer if it is confined to the chest wall, diaphragm and lymph nodes. Surgery is also done to treat some areas during stage IV lung cancer. Clinical trials of some new effective treatments are under way. One such treatment is the photodynamic therapy. This treatment is tried for person having SCLC that occurs frequently and causes obstruction in the airway. For more experimental therapies you may consult your doctor.

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