The detailed staging techniques and classifications used for non-small cell lung cancer are not commonly used for small cell lung cancer. Instead, the staging system focuses on whether disease is limited or extensive. The stage of the tumor (limited vs. extensive) will determine the prognosis and may affect the choice of treatment.
The staging procedures commonly used to document distant metastases include bone marrow examination , CT scans of the brain and liver and radionuclide bone scans. MRI scans can also be used to evaluate the brain and bones.
Limited-stage means that tumor is confined to the side of the chest where it originated, the mediastinum and the supraclavicular nodes on the same side. This area can be encompassed within a tolerable radiotherapy field. There is no universally accepted definition of "limited-stage." Patients with fluid around the lung (pleural effusion), massive or multiple pulmonary tumor masses on the same side and enlarged supraclavicular nodes on the opposite side are accepted as "limited stage" by some physicians.
Extensive-stage disease means that tumor is too widespread to be included within the definition of limited-stage disease.
