5 truths about stage I non-small cell lung cancer

What does it mean if you have been diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and your disease is in stage I?

You need to first understand the following points.

1. tumor extent

Stage I NSCLC is early-stage lung cancer that is small and confined, has not invaded a vital organ, and has not developed lymph nodes or distant metastases.

2. Life expectancy

With stage I NSCLC that is curable and a patient s 5-year survival rate of up to 70%, you can enjoy a long and high quality of life.

3. Treatment options

Surgical patients: Surgery is the preferred treatment for stage I NSCLC and is usually curative alone without additional adjuvant therapy.

The usual surgical approach is lobectomy + hilar mediastinal lymph node dissection. Most patients can choose minimally invasive thoracoscopic surgery, which can reduce complications and lead to faster recovery.

Patients who are not candidates for surgery: Stereotactic radiotherapy can be an option with efficacy comparable to surgery. It is a new type of radiation therapy that can focus more precisely on the cancer and deliver a higher dose of radiation in a single session to kill the tumor with a “radiation knife.

4. Recurrence rate

Even if you get a cure, you need to review it regularly, because about 1/3 of patients with stage I relapse.

5. Recovery

You need to take this time to restart your life and make healthier lifestyle choices, so be sure to quit smoking.