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stage IV non-small cell lung cancer

(... sel lung KAN-ser)
Stage IV non-small cell lung cancer is divided into stages IVA and IVB. In stage IVA, the tumor may be any size and cancer may have spread to the lymph nodes. One or more of the following is found: (1) there are one or more tumors in the lung that does not have the primary tumor; and/or (2) cancer is found in the lining around the lungs or the sac around the heart; and/or (3) cancer is found in fluid around the lungs or the heart; and/or (4) cancer has spread to one place in an organ not near the lung, such as the brain, liver, adrenal gland, kidney, or bone, or to a lymph node that is not near the lung. In stage IVB, cancer has spread to multiple places in one or more organs that are not near the lung.
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Stage IVA lung cancer; drawing shows a primary tumor in the right lung and (a) a tumor in the left lung. Also shown is (b) fluid or cancer nodules around the lungs or heart (inset), and (c) other organs or tissues where lung cancer may spread, including the brain, adrenal gland, kidney, liver, bone, and distant lymph nodes.Enlarge this image in new window
Stage IVA lung cancer. The tumor may be any size and cancer may have spread to the lymph nodes. One or more of the following is found: (a) there are one or more tumors in the lung that does not have the primary tumor; and/or (b) cancer is found in fluid around the lungs or heart or there are cancer nodules in the lining around the lungs or the sac around the heart; and/or (c) cancer has spread to one place in an organ or tissue not near the lung, such as the brain, adrenal gland, kidney, liver, or bone, or to a lymph node that is not near the lung.
Stage IVB lung cancer; drawing shows a primary cancer in the right lung and other parts of the body where lung cancer may spread, including the brain, adrenal gland, kidney, liver, distant lymph nodes, and bone. An inset shows cancer cells spreading from the lung, through the blood and lymph system, to another part of the body where metastatic cancer has formed.Enlarge this image in new window
Stage IVB lung cancer. The cancer has spread to multiple places in one or more organs that are not near the lung, such as the brain, adrenal gland, kidney, liver, distant lymph nodes, or bone.
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