NSCLC, Stage 1

• the tumor is no larger than 4cm and it has not spread to the lymph nodes or other locations
• considered "early-stage" lung cancer
• 62% five-year survival rate if diagnosed at Stage 1 

NSCLC, Stage 2

• the tumor is either no larger than 5cm and may have spread to nearby lymph nodes OR
• between 5cm and 7cm or there is more than one tumor but it has not yet spread to the lymph nodes or other locations
• considered "early-stage" lung cancer
• 39% five-year survival rate if diagnosed at Stage 2

NSCLC, Stage 3

• the tumor is no larger than 7cm OR
• there is more than one tumor on the same lung and it has spread to lymph nodes in the centre of the chest or near the other lung or collarbone but no other locations
• considered "locally advanced" lung cancer
• 16% five-year survival rate if diagnosed at Stage 3 

NSCLC, Stage 4

• the tumor is of any size and has spread to at least to the other lung or a single location outside the chest cavity
• considered "metastatic" lung cancer
• Approximately 3% five-year survival rate if diagnosed at Stage 4

SCLC, Limited stage

The cancer is only on one side of the chest, including cancers that are only in one lung (unless tumors are widespread throughout the lung), and that might also have reached the lymph nodes on the same side of the chest.

SCLC, Extensive stage

Cancer has spread widely throughout the lung, to the other lung, to lymph nodes on the other side of the chest, or to other parts of the body.

To read more about lung cancer staging, see “Staging” on Lung Cancer Canada’s website.