In stage IIIB, the tumor is 5 centimeters or smaller and cancer has spread to lymph nodes above the collarbone on the same side of the chest as the primary tumor or to any lymph nodes on the opposite side of the chest as the primary tumor.
Is stage 3B cancer curable?
Stage IIIB NSCLC has not historically been considered curable, but advances in treatment including the development of new chemotherapy drugs and targeted therapies are prolonging survival and reducing cancer symptoms well beyond what was expected just a few years ago.
Is Stage 3B serious?
Stage 3B means the tumour has spread to the skin of the breast or the chest wall. The chest wall means the structures surrounding and protecting the lungs, such as the ribs, muscles, skin or connective tissues. The cancer has made the skin break down (an ulcer) or caused swelling.
What is the difference between stage 3A and stage 3B cancer?
This stage is divided into three groups: Stage 3A, Stage 3B, and Stage 3C. The difference is determined by the size of the tumor and whether cancer has spread to the lymph nodes and surrounding tissue.