Stage 2 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is localized cancer that has not spread beyond one lung or the local lymph nodes on the same side of the chest. Any lung cancer diagnosis is serious, but being in this early stage means your disease is very treatable and your chances for a long-term remission are good.

Staging

Determining the stage of lung cancer is very important in choosing the most appropriate treatment.

An Overview of Staging For Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is staged based on the TNM system:

  • T refers to the size of the tumor
  • N refers to the involvement of lymph nodes and where they are located
  • M indicates if there are any metastases (spreading of the tumor to other regions of the body)

Stage 2 is divided into stages 2A and 2B. Stage 2B is divided into three possible designations.

Stage 2 Lung Cancer Symptoms

In the early stages of lung cancer, you might not have symptoms. As the disease progresses, though, symptoms may arise while it’s still in stage 2.

These include:

  • Persistent cough
  • Coughing up blood
  • Shortness of breath
  • Hoarseness
  • Pain in the chest or back
  • Repeated infections, such as pneumonia or bronchitis

Since stage 2 lung cancer has not metastasized beyond the lungs, symptoms such as unintentional weight loss and fatigue are less common than in more advanced stages.

The symptoms of lung cancer in women may differ from men, and symptoms in non-smokers may differ from current or former smokers. This is important to consider as cases of lung cancer have been increasing among young women who have never smoked, many of whom assume they are not at risk for the disease and miss early signs of a problem.

Treatment

Treatment options for stage 2 lung cancer often include a combination of therapies.

Surgery

Surgery is associated with the greatest likelihood of long-term survival after your diagnosis.

There are four main types of surgery for lung cancer:

  • Lobectomy: This removes one of the five lobes of your lungs (three on the right, two on the left). This surgery is often preferred for NSCLC.
  • Wedge resection: A wedge-shaped section of a lobe is removed. This is usually recommended if the tumor is small or there is a concern about surgery affecting lung function.
  • Sleeve resection: This removes part of the lung and a part of the main airway. It may preserve more lung function than other types of surgeries.
  • Pneumonectomy: The entire lung is removed. This is usually only recommended if the tumor’s location prevents less invasive surgeries.

Which procedure your healthcare provider recommends depends on where your tumor is located and your general state of health.

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is a less invasive technique than traditional open surgery. During VATS, part of the lung may be removed through small incisions in the chest wall. VATS procedures may result in a shorter hospital stay and less post-operative pain.

Chemotherapy

Most oncologists recommend adjuvant chemotherapy (chemotherapy after surgery) for those who undergo surgery for stage 2 lung cancer. The advantage of this type of chemotherapy is that it aims to destroy cancer cells that may have spread beyond the lungs but are not yet visible on any imaging tests.

Depending on the location of your tumor, some oncologists may prescribe neoadjuvant chemotherapy—chemotherapy given before surgery to decrease the size of a tumor and make removing the tumor easier.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy is used to treat stage 2 lung cancer in combination with chemotherapy as adjuvant treatment when the surgical margins are positive.

It also presents an option for patients who are unable to have surgery due to the tumor’s location or because of other health issues.

Other techniques such as proton beam therapy are being evaluated for stage 2 disease.

Genetic Targeting

One of the recent advances in lung cancer treatment has been the ability to treat some of these cancers by targeting tumors that have certain mutations that make them susceptible to these very specific treatments.

Along with characterizing a tumor based on size and how far it has spread, oncologists are now using genetic testing (molecular profiling) of lung cancer to personalize the diagnosis and treatment.

Prognosis

The five-year survival rate for stage 2 NSCLC is approximately 35% with treatment. This varies, depending on factors such as the location, size, and characteristics of your particular tumor, as well as your general health.

Ongoing Research

Targeted therapies and immunotherapy are treatments primarily used for advanced-stage lung cancer, but clinical trials continue to explore the utility of these options. Researchers are looking to see if they can help improve survival rates and reduce the risk of recurrence when these approaches are used for treating early-stage lung cancer.

This is in contrast to lung cancer’s overall survival rate (just under 19%), partly because only about 16% of NSCLC is diagnosed in the localized stages (stage 1 or stage 2).

Keep in mind that survival statistics are often several years old, and newer treatments may not have been available when those numbers were recorded.

Getting appropriate treatment is the key to improving your chances of remission. Discuss all your options with your healthcare provider and be hopeful. Treatments are improving every day.

Risk of Recurrence

The overall lung cancer recurrence rate for stage 2 NSCLC is estimated to be about 38%. If a lung cancer recurs, further options are available for treatment. These may include radiation with or without chemotherapy, targeted therapies, or immunotherapy medications.

Coping

Studies suggest that learning about your disease can improve your outcome. Ask questions. Learn about clinical trials that might be appropriate for you. If you are newly diagnosed with lung cancer, take a moment to breathe and think carefully about your current situation.

This is a time to allow others to help you. Look into support groups in your community or online so you can connect with people who understand and have advice to offer. Remember, too, that there are some things you can do yourself that can improve survival with lung cancer. Putting effort into these can give you control of your cancer journey.

A Word From Verywell

Lung cancer survival rates are improving rapidly. Learn how to advocate for yourself as a cancer patient, seek a second opinion if you feel you need one, and choose a cancer treatment center that you feel confident in.

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By Lynne Eldridge, MD

 Lynne Eldrige, MD, is a lung cancer physician, patient advocate, and award-winning author of “Avoiding Cancer One Day at a Time.”