Lung cancer is the fastest type of cancer that leads to death. The survival rate of lung cancer varies according to how serious the disease has spread to the organs in the body. Stage 3 cancer is an advanced stage of the disease. In this stage, the nearby tissues, organs, and lymph nodes are already being affected. To explain this particular stage of lung cancer, scientists have divided this medical condition into different stages.
Stages 3 Categories and Symptoms
This is categorized based on the lymph nodes that have been affected, the size of the tumor and the tissues already affected. They are categorized as 3A, 3B and 3C.
Stage 3A: this is described as locally advanced disease. It has spread to the lymph nodes on the same side as the lung. At this stage, the phrenic nerve, bronchus, diaphragm, breastbone, and chest wall may also be affected. This can be treated with surgery.
Stage 3B: cancer may have spread to the opposite side of the chest or the supraclavicular above the collar bone. One or more tumors may also be found. It is not operable but can undergo chemotherapy [1].
Stage 3C: this is the most advanced stage, this has spread throughout the chest wall. This is the increment of the number of tumors [2] in the same or different lobe of the lung. It can also be treated with radiation therapy [3] or chemotherapy.
At the early stage of this medical condition, the signs are not visible. But as cancer gets more advanced to stage 3, the symptoms become more noticeable, these signs include chest pain, headache, pain in the backbone, trouble breathing, hoarse voice, a persistent and lingering cough, fatigue, loss of weight, swelling of veins in the neck and face and difficulty while swallowing.