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UNEDITED

Understanding different
types of lung cancer

The two main types of lung cancer are non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). They are named based on how the cancer cells look under the microscope.

  • About 80% to 85% of all lung cancer cases are NSCLC, making it the most common type of lung cancer

Your doctor will perform tests to determine your lung cancer stage. Please speak to your doctor to learn more about what your stage of lung cancer means for you.

It’s important to know your NSCLC stage

Stage-1 NSCLC lung diagram

Click the bar to see the different stages

  • Stage 1 NSCLC Lung Diagram
    Stage 1

    Cancer is located only in the lungs and has not spread to any lymph nodes. The tumor is no larger than a few centimeters

  •  
  • Stage 2 NSCLC Lung Diagram
    Stage 2

    Cancer is in the lungs and may have spread to nearby lymph nodes on the same lung

  •  
  • Stage 3 NSCLC Lung Diagram
    Stage 3

    Cancer is in the lungs and may have spread to the tissues around the lungs or lymph nodes (locally advanced). There may now be separate tumors on the same lung where the cancer started which may or may not be removed by surgery

  •  
  • Stage 4 NSCLC Lung Diagram
    Stage 4

    Unlike the earlier stages of lung cancer, stage 4 lung cancer has spread to parts of the body beyond the lungs (metastatic). The tumors may be of any size and may or may not have spread to lymph nodes

  • Stage 1

    Cancer is located only in the lungs and has not spread to any lymph nodes. The tumor is no larger than a few centimeters

  •  
  • Stage 2 NSCLC Lung Diagram
    Stage 2

    Cancer is in the lungs and may have spread to nearby lymph nodes on the same lung

  •  
  • Stage 3 NSCLC Lung Diagram
    Stage 3

    Cancer is in the lungs and may have spread to the tissues around the lungs or lymph nodes (locally advanced). There may now be separate tumors on the same lung where the cancer started which may or may not be removed by surgery

  •  
  • Stage 4 NSCLC Lung Diagram
    Stage 4

    Unlike the earlier stages of lung cancer, stage 4 lung cancer has spread to parts of the body beyond the lungs (metastatic). The tumors may be of any size and may or may not have spread to lymph nodes

Stage 3 NSCLC includes:

  • Stage 3A NSCLC Lung Diagram
    Stage 3A

    The primary tumor may have spread to the lymph nodes on the same side of the chest where it started. There can be 2 or more tumors on the same side of the chest. There may be many tumors of various sizes.

  •  
  • Stage 3B NSCLC Lung Diagram
    Stage 3B

    The primary tumor may have spread to the lymph nodes on the same or opposite side of the chest where it started or above the collarbone. There can be 2 or more tumors on the same side of the chest. There may be many tumors of various sizes.

  •  
  • Stage 3C NSCLC Lung Diagram
    Stage 3C

    The large primary tumor may have grown and spread to lymph nodes on the opposite side of the chest from where it started or above the collarbone. There can be 2 or more tumors on the same side of the chest. There may be many tumors of various sizes.

Stage 3 NSCLC can be defined as cancer that can be removed by surgery (resectable) or cancer that cannot be removed by surgery (unresectable).

If you’re talking with your doctor about surgery as a treatment option, learn more about treatment after surgery.

If you have stage 4 NSCLC, click here.

If you’re talking with your doctor about surgery as a treatment option, learn more about treatment after surgery.

If you have stage 4 NSCLC, click here.

Not all lung cancers are the same. Ask your doctor about a biomarker test as early as possible in your treatment journey
DNA Magnifying GlassDNA Magnifying Glass

What is a “biomarker” test?

Biomarker testing can reveal detailed information about your lung cancer, including any mutations that may be causing it to grow and spread.

Testing for biomarkers may help your healthcare team get the full picture of your diagnosis and determine the treatment options that may be right for you.

Biomarkers can reveal detailed information, including:

Lungs

what may be causing your cancer to grow and spread

Tablets Icon

which types of treatment may work best for you

Your biopsy can help provide answers

Biomarker testing can be done with a biopsy, where a small piece of tissue is removed from your tumor.

Ask your doctor if the biopsy that was collected during your diagnosis can be used for biomarker testing. If so, you may not need further procedures.

Ask your doctor about biomarker testing
when discussing your treatment options

Ask Your Doctor Icon

If you and your doctor are discussing chemotherapy and radiation treatment (CRT), ask if your doctor can use the biopsy from your diagnosis for biomarker testing.

Talk with Your Doctor About Biomarker Testing

Talk with your doctor about biomarker testing before starting treatment.

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If you’ve already started CRT, your doctor may be able to use the biopsy tissue they collected when you were first diagnosed to complete your biomarker test.

Your biomarker test can show if you have a mutation in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene

Your
biomarker test can show if
you have a mutation in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene

NSCLC with a mutation in the EGFR gene is known as
EGFR+ NSCLC

A mutation in the EGFR gene is a common and important biomarker. If your lung cancer has an EGFR mutation, it could be a driving cause behind your cancer growing and spreading.

About 1 in 5

people with stage 3 NSCLC have cancer that tests positive for an EGFR mutation*

About 1 in 5 people with stage 3 NSCLC have cancer that tests positive for an EGFR mutation*About 1 in 5 people with stage 3 NSCLC have cancer that tests positive for an EGFR mutation*

About 1 in 5

people with stage 3 NSCLC have cancer that tests positive for an EGFR mutation*

*Prevalence of EGFR mutations in NSCLC adenocarcinoma was based on data from 1 reference: Sholl et al (2015) performed mutation analysis on
1007 cases with confirmed diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma. Testing was performed on 987 cases for EGFR sensitizing mutations (exon 19
deletions, EGFR L858R mutations, EGFR G719X mutations, EGFR L816Q mutations) and other EGFR mutations (any one or more mutations in EGFR
other than exon 19 deletions, L858R mutations, G719X mutations, or L861Q mutations). Out of 987 cases, there were 164 cases that were stage 3 at
diagnosis; of these, 29 had EGFR mutations.

Ask your doctor if you're eligible for treatment with TAGRISSO after CRT

What is CRT?

CRT, or "chemoradiation therapy, " is a combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy

Tag Pill

Chemotherapy is a treatment that works to stop the growth of cancer cells by killing them or interrupting their growth

Chemo Image

Radiation therapy is a treatment that uses high energy rays or waves aimed at one part of your body to help kill cancer cells and shrink tumors

 

Chemotherapy and radiation may also affect healthy cells.

If you’ve been diagnosed with stage 3 NSCLC that can’t be removed by surgery, your doctor may have prescribed CRT as your first treatment.

If you’re prescribed CRT, you may complete chemotherapy before starting radiation therapy (called sequential CRT) or have the two treatments at the same time (called concurrent CRT).

Based on your biomarker test results, your doctor may recommend a treatment after CRT:

Targeted Therapy

Targeted therapyA medication that is designed to target a specific feature of certain cancer cells

Radiation

Immunotherapy A treatment that works to help the immune system identify and defend against cancer cells

 

Targeted therapy and immunotherapy may also affect healthy cells.

If you've started CRT or are talking with your doctor about it, your treatment plan may not end there.

Talk with your doctor about your treatment options after CRT, including a biomarker test to see if you may be eligible for a targeted therapy, like TAGRISSO® (osimertinib).

Ask your doctor about treatment following CRT
Questions to ask your healthcare team

Questions to ask
your healthcare team about your diagnosis

If your cancer tests positive for certain EGFR mutations, you may be eligible for a targeted therapy like TAGRISSO

Download a helpful brochure here

Download

You may still have questions about locally advanced, unresectable stage 3 NSCLC and what it means to be EGFR+

Get answers to FAQs

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

TAGRISSO may cause serious side effects, including:

  • Lung problems. TAGRISSO may cause severe lung problems that may lead to death. Symptoms may be similar to those symptoms from lung cancer. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new or worsening lung symptoms, including trouble breathing, shortness of breath, cough, or fever
  • Heart problems, including heart failure. TAGRISSO may cause heart problems that may lead to death. Your healthcare provider should check your heart function before you start taking TAGRISSO and during treatment as needed. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following signs and symptoms of a heart problem: feeling like your heart is pounding or racing, shortness of breath, swelling of your ankles and feet, dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or feeling faint
  • Eye problems. TAGRISSO may cause eye problems. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have symptoms of eye problems which may include watery eyes, sensitivity to light, eye pain, eye redness, or vision changes. Your healthcare provider may send you to see an eye specialist (ophthalmologist) if you get eye problems with TAGRISSO
  • Skin problems. TAGRISSO may cause skin problems. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop skin reactions that look like rings (target lesions), severe blistering or peeling of the skin
  • Inflammation of the blood vessels in your skin. TAGRISSO may cause blood vessel problems in your skin. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop purple spots or redness of the skin that does not fade in color when pressed (non-blanching) on your lower arms, lower legs, or buttocks or large hives on the main part of your body (trunk) that do not go away within 24 hours and look bruised
  • Blood and bone marrow problems. TAGRISSO may cause a condition where your bone marrow cannot make enough new blood cells (aplastic anemia), and which may lead to death. Your healthcare provider will monitor your blood cell counts before you start and during treatment with TAGRISSO. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop any signs and symptoms of blood and bone marrow problems, including a new fever or fever that does not go away (≥100.4 °F), easy bruising or bleeding that will not stop, unusually pale skin, infection, tiredness, or weakness

Before taking TAGRISSO, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

  • have lung or breathing problems other than your lung cancer
  • have heart problems, including a condition called long QTc syndrome
  • have problems with your electrolytes, such as sodium, potassium, calcium or magnesium
  • have a history of eye problems
  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. TAGRISSO can harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant during treatment with TAGRISSO or think you may be pregnant
  • Females who are able to become pregnant should have a pregnancy test before starting treatment with TAGRISSO. You should use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment with TAGRISSO and for 6 weeks after the last dose of TAGRISSO
  • Males who have female partners that are able to become pregnant should use effective birth control during treatment with TAGRISSO and for 4 months after the last dose of TAGRISSO
  • females who are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if TAGRISSO passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment with TAGRISSO and for 2 weeks after your last dose of TAGRISSO. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby during this time

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements. Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take a heart or blood pressure medicine

The most common side effects of TAGRISSO when given alone include:

  • low white blood cell counts
  • low platelet counts
  • low red blood cell counts (anemia)
  • diarrhea
  • rash
  • muscle, bone, or joint pain
  • changes in your nails, including: redness, tenderness, pain, inflammation, brittleness, separation from the nailbed, and shedding of nail
  • dry skin
  • mouth sores
  • tiredness
  • low white blood cell counts
  • low platelet counts
  • low red blood cell counts (anemia)
  • diarrhea
  • rash
  • muscle, bone, or joint pain
  • changes in your nails, including: redness, tenderness, pain, inflammation, brittleness, separation from the nailbed, and shedding of nail
  • dry skin
  • mouth sores
  • tiredness

The most common side effects of TAGRISSO when given alone after treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy and radiation treatment include:

  • low white blood cell counts
  • lung problems
  • low platelet counts
  • rash
  • diarrhea
  • changes in your nails, including: redness, tenderness, pain, inflammation, brittleness, separation from the nailbed, and shedding of nail
  • cough
  • COVID-19
  • low white blood cell counts
  • lung problems
  • low platelet counts
  • rash
  • diarrhea
  • changes in your nails, including: redness, tenderness, pain, inflammation, brittleness, separation from the nailbed, and shedding of nail
  • cough
  • COVID-19

The most common side effects of TAGRISSO in combination with pemetrexed and platinum-based chemotherapy include:

  • low white blood cell counts
  • low platelet counts
  • rash
  • diarrhea
  • mouth sores
  • changes in your nails, including: redness, tenderness, pain, inflammation, brittleness, separation from the nailbed, and shedding of nail
  • dry skin
  • increase of a substance in the blood called creatinine
  • low white blood cell counts
  • low platelet counts
  • rash
  • diarrhea
  • mouth sores
  • changes in your nails, including: redness, tenderness, pain, inflammation, brittleness, separation from the nailbed, and shedding of nail
  • dry skin
  • increase of a substance in the blood called creatinine

Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

These are not all the possible side effects of TAGRISSO. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

What is TAGRISSO?

TAGRISSO is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that has certain abnormal epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene(s):

  • to help prevent your lung cancer from coming back after your tumor(s) has been removed by surgery, or
  • when your lung cancer has spread to nearby tissues (locally advanced), that is unable to be removed (unresectable) by surgery and has responded or stabilized following chemotherapy and radiation treatment, or
  • as your first treatment when your lung cancer has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic), or
  • in combination with pemetrexed and platinum-based chemotherapy, as your first treatment when your lung cancer has spread to nearby tissues (locally advanced) or to other parts of the body (metastatic), or
  • when your lung cancer has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic) and you have had previous treatment with an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) medicine that did not work or is no longer working.

Your healthcare provider will perform a test to make sure that TAGRISSO is right for you.
It is not known if TAGRISSO is safe and effective in children.

Please see complete Prescribing Information, including Patient Information for TAGRISSO.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

You may report side effects related to AstraZeneca productslink Icon.

EGFR is epidermal growth factor receptor; EGFR+ is epidermal growth factor receptor mutation-positive; NSCLC is non-small cell lung cancer.

EGFR+ is epidermal growth factor receptor mutation-positive; NSCLC is non-small cell lung cancer.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

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If you are in the United States and would like additional information regarding AstraZeneca products, you can contact AstraZeneca by phone at 1-800-236-9933 (Monday - Friday 8 AM - 6 PM ET, excluding holidays). Outside these hours and on holidays, an after-hours service is available to assist with any urgent medical inquiries.