Dermatologic Manifestations of Pulmonary Disease

Stage III Lung Cancer

Doctors use stages to describe how much cancer you have and where it is in your body. People with stage III lung cancer can be a very mixed group. Their tumors can differ in size, location, and how distant they are from where the cancer started.

But almost always, stage III cancer is in just one lung. It's also limited to the lymph nodes, organs, and other tissue near that organ. The cancer has not spread, or metastasized, beyond that. That's why this stage is also called locally advanced or locoregional disease.

The next stage, stage IV, is the last and most serious stage of lung cancer.

Nearly 9 out of 10 people with lung cancer have non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). A rarer and more aggressive type is called small-cell lung cancer. But the numbered stages are used mainly for the more common NSCLC.

Staging uses three key criteria called TNM:

Tumor (T): How big and where is the tumor?

Nodes (N): Is the cancer in nearby lymph nodes?

Metastasis (M): How far has the cancer spread from its original spot?

Doctors split stage III non-small-cell lung cancer into three main subtypes. It helps them get a more detailed picture of your cancer and decide on the best treatments.

Stage IIIA. You have one or more tumors in one lung. The cancer is in nearby lymph nodes. The cancer may be in certain nearby tissues, but it hasn't reached distant organs.

Stage IIIB. You have one or more tumors in the same lung. Your cancer may have spread to lymph nodes above your collarbone and may be in lymph nodes on the opposite side of your chest. The cancer may be in certain nearby tissues but not in distant organs.

Stage IIIC. This is the most advanced stage within stage III. You have one or more tumors in the same lung. Your cancer has spread to lymph nodes above your collarbone or to lymph nodes on the opposite side of your chest. The cancer may be in the chest wall, heart, breastbone, and other nearby tissues but hasn't spread to distant organs.

Most non-small-cell lung cancer is found after it's become advanced. That's partly because the disease worsens quickly and often doesn't have signs in the early stages. But symptoms may include:

If your stage III lung cancer has spread beyond your lungs, it can cause other symptoms. For example, you may have bone pain if it has spread to your bones.

Your doctor probably found your lung cancer after checking your symptoms. Most people aren't routinely checked for the disease unless they smoke or otherwise face a higher risk.

If you have symptoms of lung cancer, your doctor will likely order a chest X-ray to learn more. (Photo Credit: Stockbyte/Getty Images)

A chest X-ray is often the first image test. If it suggests you have cancer, you'll have follow-up tests, such as:

CT scan. Your doctor may order a "contrast-enhanced" version of this scan, which can take more detailed images.

Your doctor may run other tests to check the extent of your cancer. They might include:

Biopsy. A doctor will examine a sample of your tissue under a microscope to confirm that it's cancer.

Your doctors have several ways to treat you based on the size, location, and other characteristics of your cancer, including:

Chemotherapy. This drug therapy uses chemicals to kill and limit the growth of new cancer cells. You may get this after surgery to help suppress any future cancers.

Radiation. Your doctor will use powerful radiation to destroy cancer cells. If surgery fails to take out all of the cancer, you may get radiation therapy, or you may have chemotherapy followed by radiation therapy.

Chemoradiation. If surgery isn't an option, you may get chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or both at the same time.

Immunotherapy. This therapy uses drugs to rally your body's immune system to fight the cancer. Your doctor may use immunotherapy as a first treatment if surgery isn't a good choice, or use it after chemoradiation.

Stage III lung cancer surgery

If possible, your doctor may opt for an operation to remove all the tumors from your lungs. If your lung cancer has spread into your lymph nodes, they may not be able to remove all of it. Some surgical options include:

Lobectomy. Your lungs are made of lobes, or sections. Your right lung is slightly larger, with three lobes, while the left has only two. During this surgery, the entire lobe containing the tumor will be removed. 

Wedge resection. This is when only part of a lobe is removed. Your doctor may refer to this surgery as a "segmentectomy."

Adjuvant therapy

After you have a primary treatment for your lung cancer, such as surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation, your health care team may recommend adjuvant therapy, or treatments that try to keep your cancer from coming back. Adjuvant therapy may include additional chemotherapy, targeted drug therapy, or immunotherapy. You may receive adjuvant therapy for a few weeks or up to 10 years, depending on your overall health and how likely it is for your cancer to come back.

Talk with your doctor to understand your treatment plan.

More people in the U.S. Die of lung cancer than of breast, colon, and prostate cancers combined. About 1 in 3 people diagnosed with stage IIIA lung cancer live for at least 5 years after their diagnosis. For stage IIIB, the average 5-year survival rate is 26%. For stage IIIC, it's 13%.

Your long-term outlook may be better if you:

Have lost less than 5% of your weight before starting treatment

Are a woman or were assigned female at birth

Do not have a lung infection, collapsed lung, or fluid buildup around the lung

Have a type of cancer cell that responds well to certain treatments

Any serious illness can bring worry, uncertainty, and other challenges to you and your loved ones. Try to:

Manage your pain. You may feel pain not only from your cancer but also from treatments as well. Work with your doctors to control your pain as well as you can. That also may help lower your chances of depression.

Ease other symptoms. Weight loss is common when you have cancer. Eat well to help keep up your strength and to prevent infections. For constant coughs, you might find relief with:

Pulmonary rehab may also improve your symptoms and quality of life. It may help you breathe easier and stay more active.

Quit smoking. It's never too late to stop. People who give up smoking before their cancer treatments tend to respond better. If it's hard for you to quit, a smoking cessation program may help.

Connect with others. There is no such thing as too much support. It may help to talk to a medical social worker, mental health counselor, or other professionals. Join a cancer support group, either in person or online. Find out if any local groups offer free rides to appointments and other help. The American Cancer Society has a searchable directory of programs.

If you've smoked heavily in the past, your doctor may recommend you get screened for lung cancer each year. Using a low-dose CT scan (LDCT), a type of noninvasive X-ray, your doctor can check for early signs of lung cancer before you even have symptoms. 

You may be a candidate for yearly lung cancer screening if you:

Are between 50 and 80 years old

Smoke currently or quit in the last 15 years

Have at least a "20-pack year" smoking history. You can determine your pack years by multiplying how many years you've smoked by how many packs of cigarettes you smoke(d) each day.

LDCT scans expose you to a small amount of radiation, which can increase your risk of cancer, but this test uses less radiation than a standard CT scan. The benefits of the scan typically outweigh its risks, as earlier stages of lung cancer are easier to treat if your doctor sees any early signs of cancer.

Stage III lung cancer is when you have cancer in one or more lobes, or sections, of one lung. Depending on how progressed it is, cancer at this stage may have also spread to nearby lymph nodes and tissue. The diagnosis is serious, but treatments for stage III lung cancer, including chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, may be able to improve your outlook. If you smoke now or have smoked heavily in the last 15 years, talk with your doctor to see if you're a good candidate for yearly lung cancer screening.

Is stage III lung cancer terminal?

No. Everyone's cancer and response to treatment are different. However, therapies for stage III lung cancer are improving, and survival rates have gotten better in recent years.

How long can you live with stage III lung cancer?

Everyone's outlook is different, but on average, 15 in 100 people with stage III cancer will live 5 years after they've been diagnosed.

What is the most aggressive form of lung cancer?

Small cell lung cancer is the most aggressive form of the illness. It usually begins in the airways and can quickly spread to other parts of the body.

Lung Cancer Resource Center

Surprising Signs You Might Have Lung Cancer

Learn the surprising signs that you could be dealing with lung cancer. Coughing and chest pain are the better-known ones, but, as you'll see in this WebMD slideshow, symptoms can crop up in other places in your body, too.

How Much Do Vet X-Rays Cost? (2024)

Average Vet X-Ray Cost

On average, the cost of vet X-rays ranges from $150 to $250.* Dog X-ray costs range from $126 to $300, while cat X-ray costs range from $100 to $267.* These price ranges are estimates, and the cost of your pet's X-ray will vary depending on their size, the area being X-rayed, the injury's severity, whether sedation is used and the type of practice you visit.

All cost ranges are calculated as averages from various 2023 reports, including CareCredit Canine Journal, PetKeen and Pawlicy Advisor.

What Affects The Cost of a Vet X-ray?

As mentioned above, multiple factors can affect how much an X-ray costs. Below are some of the most common factors affecting X-ray costs.

Injury

Two of the most significant impacts on cost are the location and severity of your pet's injury. T. Some parts of the body are easier to X-ray than others, and the price depends on how easily your vet can reach the body parts being X-rayed. For example, your pet's paw and leg are easier to X-ray than its head.

Veterinary Office Type and Location

The type of vet office you visit and its location also influence X-ray costs. For example, an emergency hospital will charge more than a general practice veterinary clinic. If cost is an issue, look for local animal organizations that offer low-cost dog and cat X-rays.

Sedation

Sedation is sometimes necessary to X-ray your pet. Some pets may be in extreme pain or incredibly nervous, so they won't sit still long enough for the vet to take X-rays. If this occurs, your vet might recommend sedation or anesthesia. Your pet may also need to be completely relaxed for a clear image of its skull or teeth, in which case your vet may also recommend anesthesia. Sedation or anesthesia generally costs an additional $50 to $220.

Why Your Pet May Need an X-ray

There are many reasons why your pet might need an X-ray. X-rays are often used to diagnose common health problems, such as tumors or bladder stones. Below are some of the most common reasons cats and dogs need X-rays.

Broken Bones

The most common reason cats and dogs need X-rays is to identify broken bones. Fractures often occur in the leg bones, and an X-ray is the best way to confirm a fracture's location and severity.

Tumors

X-rays can also help vets spot certain types of tumors. Dogs and cats can develop tumors in almost any body part, such as their kidneys, lungs, and bones. An X-ray can help your veterinarian detect a tumor, so they can pursue additional diagnostics to determine whether your pet has cancer and whether the tumor should be removed.

Dental Problems

X-rays are standard for pet dental care. Both dogs and cats require sedation for dental X-rays. Even if your pet has no visible dental problems, vets still recommend annual X-rays since the majority of each tooth is buried. X-rays are essential to fully evaluate the tooth root, periodontal structures, and surrounding bone and can identify dental problems such as tooth fractures, abscesses, tumors, bone loss or tooth-root abnormalities.

Intestinal Blockage

Swallowing a nondigestible object can cause life-threatening health problems for a pet. An abdominal X-ray can provide your vet a visual image of the object in your pet's stomach or intestinal tract to determine whether surgery is necessary for removal. If you suspect your pet swallowed a foreign object, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Lung or Heart Problems

If your pet starts breathing abnormally, a chest X-ray can help your vet identify potential health conditions like bronchitis, pneumonia or fungal infection.

Does Your Pet Need a Vet X-ray?

X-rays aren't only for emergencies; they're common diagnostic tools that support your pet's health. Your dog or cat may need dental X-rays during routine vet visits, and you never know when a broken bone, hip dysplasia or severe intestinal issues can occur, which may also require an X-ray.

We recommend choosing a pet insurance policy that covers the costs of X-rays and any associated procedures that may follow, such as blood work or treatment for orthopedic issues.

Pet Insurance Providers with X-Ray Coverage

Below are our recommended pet insurance providers that cover x-rays.

Lemonade Pet Insurance: Our top pick

Lemonade is an excellent option for pet parents looking to save money. The company provides some of the most affordable pet insurance plans, including X-ray coverage. Lemonade also offers a user-friendly smartphone app to manage your claims and keep track of your policy coverage and billing. The company covers X-rays as part of its diagnostic coverage in its standard accident and illness plan, including blood tests, urinalysis, MRIs, labwork, CT scans and ultrasounds.

To learn more: Read our Lemonade Pet Insurance review

Spot Pet Insurance: Best for customizable coverage

We recommend Spot Pet Insurance for those interested in personalized coverage. The company's policies are more customizable than many competitors, with annual limit options ranging from $2,500 to unlimited. Spot's policies also cover a few items that many other pet insurance providers don't, such as exam fees and microchipping.

To learn more: Read our Spot Pet Insurance review

Trupanion Pet Insurance: Best for service animals

Trupanion is a nationwide pet insurance provider that offers unlimited annual coverage caps, customizable deductibles and direct payments. Though pet insurance typically requires you to pay your entire vet bill and get reimbursed later, Trupanion's $0 deductible option allows you to pay only your percentage of the bill at checkout. Trupanion provides one comprehensive pet insurance plan with accident and illness coverage—including X-rays—for dogs and cats up to 14 years old.

To learn more: Read our Trupanion Pet Insurance review

What Pet Insurance Could Save You

Let's say your pet needs an emergency X-ray and it would cost $200. With an 80% reimbursement rate, you would pay $40 out of pocket.

Frequently Asked Questions About Vet X-ray Costs

How much do X-rays cost for dogs with sedation?

Based on our calculations, X-rays with sedation for dogs cost between $153 and $603. This price will vary depending on factors such as the clinic location and the area of the body that is X-rayed.

Does pet insurance cover X-rays?

Yes, pet insurance companies typically cover X-rays under their standard accident and illness plans.

Do all vets charge the same?

Like human health care, pet veterinary care prices vary according to the type of vet office and the procedures being performed.

Methodology: Our System for Rating Pet Insurance Companies

---