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Clinical calculator summary

Small Cell Lung Cancer Staging (VALSG)

The VALSG system is the standard clinical staging method for Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC).

Evidence-based context for fast calculator use

Purpose:
VALSG staging classifies Small Cell Lung Cancer as limited or extensive stage to determine eligibility for curative chemoradiation.
Population:
patients undergoing thoracic oncology risk, staging, or nodule assessment
Factors:
Can tumor be safely encompassed in a single radiation port?
Reference:
Micke P, et al. Staging of small cell lung cancer: Veterans Administration Lung Study Group versus International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer--what limits limited disease? Lung Cancer. 2002;37(3):271-276.
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Small Cell Lung Cancer Staging (VALSG)

Clinical Context & Background

The VALSG system is the standard clinical staging method for Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC). It stratifies patients into "Limited" or "Extensive" disease, which determines whether the patient is a candidate for curative-intent concurrent chemoradiation.
Primary Source EvidenceMicke P, et al. Staging of small cell lung cancer: Veterans Administration Lung Study Group versus International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer--what limits limited disease? Lung Cancer. 2002;37(3):271-276.
Formula Logic
Limited: Confined to one hemithorax + supraclavicular nodes. Extensive: Beyond one hemithorax.

Reference Data

StageDefinitionTreatment Intent
Limited Stage (LS)Confined to one hemithorax, mediastinum, and supraclavicular nodes; encompassable in one radiation portal.Curative (Chemo + Radiation)
Extensive Stage (ES)Spread beyond supraclavicular areas, or malignant pleural effusion.Palliative (Chemo / Immunotherapy)

Clinical Workflow

Use, Interpret, And Continue The Patient Pathway

Expand for workflow guidance, limitations, examples, and related next steps.

When To Use

  • Use Small Cell Lung Cancer Staging (VALSG) when vALSG staging classifies Small Cell Lung Cancer as limited or extensive stage to determine eligibility for curative chemoradiation.
  • Confirm that the patient, diagnosis, disease phase, and available inputs match the cited model before calculation.

How To Interpret

  • Interpret the displayed result using the calculator-specific formula and reference table, spanning Limited Stage (LS) through Extensive Stage (ES).
  • A boundary result should prompt input verification and clinical review rather than false precision.

What To Do Next

  • Confirm whether the clinical question is screening eligibility, nodule malignancy, staging, or treatment prognosis and move to the corresponding thoracic pathway.
  • Document the inputs, result, timing, and clinical context so the assessment can be reproduced.

Limitations

  • Lung screening, nodule probability, radiology classification, and cancer staging tools answer different questions.
  • The result supports clinician judgment and does not independently determine treatment.

Validated Population

patients undergoing thoracic oncology risk, staging, or nodule assessment

How to apply this result

For a representative case, verify Can tumor be safely encompassed in a single radiation port?, calculate the result, and confirm that its classification matches the highlighted reference band before continuing the disease-specific pathway.

Lung & Thoracic Oncology hubContinue to related calculators and clinical workflow resources.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When should Small Cell Lung Cancer Staging (VALSG) be used?

Use it for patients undergoing thoracic oncology risk, staging, or nodule assessment when all required inputs and the intended clinical setting are confirmed.

Can Small Cell Lung Cancer Staging (VALSG) determine treatment by itself?

No. Interpret the result with the cited evidence, complete clinical assessment, current guidelines, and patient-specific goals.

Evidence-based oncology decision support. Verify with clinical guidelines.