This is for Chesapeake girl: There are stages from 0 to IV. I got several articles on non-small lung cancer because of my dad. According to my information there are 2 types of lung cancer non-small and small. The stage number indicates how advanced the cancer is, they then are subdivided according to how large the tumor is and how far it has extended, which is called TNM system. T (tumor), N(for regional lymph nodes, and M (for metastasis). T refers to the size and extension of the tumor itself. N followed by 0-3 refers to whether the cancer has reached regional lymph nodes, and
M refers to metastasis. Alot also depends if it can be taken out or not. My father can not be. If I can be of any help, please let me know. I went the hospital library where I work and got all kinds of information. My father is on oxygen all the time now and has started losing his balance. He took and lung test and without his oxygen he has only 26% breathing capacity.