Stage 1 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Diagnosis

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Overview

Stage 1 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) diagnosis is divided into Stage 1A and Stage 1B.
Lung Cancer is cancer that forms in tissues of your lungs, usually in the cells lining the air passages.

Tap “Watch Now” for an easy-to-understand overview of Stage 1 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Stage 1A Lung Cancer
Stage 1B Lung Cancer
Understanding EGFR & PD-L1

Overview

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Stage 1A Lung Cancer Diagnosis is when the tumor is 3 centimeters or less, this means about the size of a green grape.

In this stage, the cancer is only found in one lung and has not spread to your lymph nodes or any other part of your body.

What Tests Will I Need and Why?

Blood and Imaging tests are done to understand your general health, confirm your diagnosis and determine your cancer stage.

Tissue analysis is also typically done to determine if the cancer cells have any specific biomarkers which are critical to finding the best treatment option for you.

In Stage 1 NSCLC, doctors look for an EGFR Mutation and an elevated PD-L1 level.

If your treatment team has not already performed tests to determine your cancer’s features, please ask your doctor when these tests will be performed.

Re-read this summary as needed and then tap, “Compare My Treatment Options Now“. Our unique Comparison Page will help you understand your FDA-approved treatment options including, who can help you pay for your treatment, where and how each is given and what side-effects you may experience.

National Institute of Health/ treatment-lung

Overview

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Stage 1B NSCLC means that the tumor is located in one lung only and has not spread to your lymph nodes or any other part of your body.

Stage 1B NSCLC diagnosis is when:

1. The tumor is more than 3 centimeters but is not larger than 4 centimeters

2. One or more of the following:

The lung cancer has spread to the inner lining of your lung (visceral pleura).
The lung cancer has spread into the airway called the bronchus, but not the middle of the airways where they branch, the carina.
One of your lungs has collapsed or has obstructive inflammation.

What Tests Will I Need and Why?

Blood and Imaging tests are done to understand your general health, confirm your diagnosis and determine your cancer stage.

Tissue analysis is also typically done to determine if the cancer cells have any specific biomarkers which are critical to finding the best treatment option for you.

In Stage 1 NSCLC, doctors look for an EGFR Mutation and an elevated PD-L1 level.

If your treatment team has not already performed tests to determine your cancer’s features, please ask your doctor when these tests will be performed.

National Institute of Health/ treatment-lung

Identifying Biomarkers is critical to determining the best treatment option for you

In addition to the size and cancer stage, your lung cancer treatment options will be guided by biomarkers. Biomarkers are found in your body’s tissues or fluids. For people with Stages 1-3 NSCLC, EGFR and PD-L1 are the most common biomarkers.

EGFR-positive

EGFR (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor) is a protein that helps your body with healthy cell growth. A mutation or abnormal change in your body’s EGFR gene can cause excessive cell growth and cancer.

There are different types of EGFR mutations that doctors look for including EGFR 19 deletion, EGFR L858R and EGFR exon 20 insertion. About 10-15% of patients with Lung Cancer have an EGFR mutation. EGFR L858R is the most common type.

If you test positive for EGFR, your treatment typically includes a medication to block EGFR, called TKI or a Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor.

PD-L1

PD-L1 is a protein that is found in healthy cells and acts as a “brake” to keep your immune system from attacking your body’s non-harmful cells. Some cancer cells “trick” the immune system to not turn on and therefore avoid being attacked.

If your tests show cancer cells with a high level of PD-L1 ( > than 50% of the cells have PD-L1), you may benefit from immunotherapy, a treatment type that takes the “brakes” off your immune system so it will recognize and attack the cancer.

Immunotherapy is only helpful when patients do not have any other mutation such as EGFR or ALK. These patients benefit from Targeted Therapy.