Despite its name, it is actually the secondearliest stageof non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Typically, stage 1 lung cancer does not cause any outward symptoms.
There are a few options for stage 1 lung cancer treatment, with surgery being the most common.
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With prompt treatment, the prognosis is very good.
This is because it is small and contained within the lungs.
When there is no known risk of lung cancer, healthcare providers can miss subtle signs of this disease.
Causes
All forms of lung cancer occur when the DNA of healthy, normal cells becomes damaged.
As a result, the cells undergo mutations and other changes that cause them to grow uncontrollably.
The most common reasoncancer cellsdevelop in the lungs is exposure to certain chemicals inhaled while smoking cigarettes.
They recommend it indefinitely.
Stage 1a vs.
Stage 1b
Stagingis a refinement of a general diagnosis that describes how advanced a cancer is.
Metastases are not found with any substage of stage 1 non-small cell lung cancer.
Treatment
Treatment options for stage 1 lung cancer range from surgery to chemotherapy to radiation.
Talk to your healthcare provider about the best options for you.
A video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is a less invasive procedure.
Small incisions are made and video-equipped instruments are inserted for removal of the tissue without fully opening the chest.
Recovery is quicker with VATS, which is an advantage.
It’s mostly used in cases where someone has stage 1B nonsmall cell lung cancer.
A combination of cisplatin and vinorelbine is the most common drug option.
This involves aiming high-energy radiation toward the cancer cells to kill them and shrink tumors.
Radiation therapy to the lungs may cause side effects such as a cough or shortness of breath.
Most often,recurrent cancerwill not appear at the same site as theprimary tumor.
Theprognosis is much worseif lung cancer spreads in this way.
Summary
A lung cancer diagnosis, regardless of stage, is cause for concern.
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