Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsLung Cancer StagesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentPrognosisScreeningPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Lung Cancer Stages
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prognosis
Screening
Prevention
Stage 0 lung cancer, referred to as non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), means that abnormal cells have been found in the lining of the airways in a single, non-invasive growth. These cells have the potential to spread and develop into cancer.
Stage 0 lung cancer is the earliest stage at which the disease can be detected. It is considered curable, typically with surgical removal. However, NSCLC may increase a person’s risk of developing another cancer, in a lung or a different part of the body.
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There are three main types of NSCLC, and they differ based on their cell structure:Adenocarcinoma, the most common type of NSCLCSquamous cell carcinomaLarge cell carcinomaAny of these can be detected at stage 0.
There are three main types of NSCLC, and they differ based on their cell structure:
Any of these can be detected at stage 0.
Lung Cancer Stages 0-4
The stages of NSCLC include:
2:57An Overview of Staging For Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
2:57
An Overview of Staging For Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Stage 0 lung cancer doesn’t usually cause any symptoms. If you have any respiratory symptoms—such as a persistent cough,shortness of breath, orchest pain—stage 0 NSCLC is not likely the cause.You could have another condition, like pneumonia or asthma, that your healthcare provider can identify.
When NSCLC is caught in stage 0, it is often an incidental finding from diagnostic testing done for another reason. Often, lung cancer at this stage is completely removed and diagnosed in one surgical procedure.
The treatment for stage 0 lung cancer is usually surgery to remove the tumor. Often a minimally invasive procedure called awedge resection, is used. It removes a small, wedge-shaped area of the lung.
A pathologist will examine a section of the cancer tissue under a microscope during the surgery. They are looking for a margin of healthy lung tissue surrounding the cancerous area, which is an assurance that all of the cancer cells have been removed. If this is not present, additional tissue will be removed.
Radiation and chemotherapy are not usually part of the treatment plan for stage 0 lung cancer. However, if surgery isn’t an option due to the location of the tumor,stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT)may be considered.
After recovering from surgery, a person shouldn’t have any physical limitations as a result of being treated for stage 0 lung cancer. At this stage, the disease is curable when completely removed.However, it is a risk factor for developing anotherprimary cancer. This means a person may be more likely to develop a new, unrelated cancer in a lung or any part of the body.
This increased risk is believed to be due to some of the same factors that caused the stage 0 NSCLC to develop—oftentimes, smoking.If you’ve been treated for stage 0 lung cancer, your healthcare provider will continue to monitor your health for signs of a new primary cancer.
Cancer has a better prognosis when it’s detected and treated at an early stage.People with stage 0 lung cancer are usually monitored with regular X-rays and/orcomputerized tomography (CT) scans of the chest.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) also recommends a yearly chest CT scan for anyone between the ages of 50 and 80 who fits into any of the following groups:
Lifestyle changes can reduce a person’s cancer risk. If you’ve had stage 0 lung cancer, these steps can help prevent cancer in the future:
Summary
Stage 0 lung cancer—non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)—means that the cancer is limited to the top lining of the lung and has not spread. Prompt treatment is important and usually involves a minor surgery to remove the cancer.
A person who has had NSCLC may be more likely to have cancer in the future. Making lifestyle changes, and being diligent with cancer screenings, can help them maintain their long-term health.
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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