Stage is how far the tumor has spread. This can somewhat be determined without surgery, though surgery is needed in many patients for accurate staging. The second important factor is the histologic type of lung cancer. The first two are primarily treated with surgery if the tumor has not spread too far. Oat cell is primarily treated with chemotherapy and has its own separate staging scheme.
Radiation therapy is used in both groups of lung malignancies.
In 1994, the plaintiff saw the his physician for a complete medical exam, and had a routine chest X-ray. The radiologist allegedly told the physician that there was an upper right lobe mass and suggested a CT scan. The CT scan was interpreted as showing a large mass in the upper right lobe. However, the patient's chart allegedly had no corresponding reference confirming that the doctor had notified the him of the findings and didn't refer him for any follow-up. Over the next 10 months, the doctor's chart allegedly had no other reference to the finding on the CT scan or any mention that he had notified the plaintiff of the upper right mass lobe discovered in the CT scan.