What does it mean if cancer has spread to lymph nodes?

My Aunt was diagnosed with Non-small cell lung cancer last summer. She had chemo and radiation. She also had her left upper lobe removed because that is where the tumor was. She just recently went in for a PET Scan and found that she now has cancer in her lymph nodes on her trachea(windpipe). Her doctor says its inoperable. We also cant do radiation anymore, just chemo. Is this worse then last time? I think it is, but I would like a few opinions on the situation...thanks...