What is cancer staging?

Cancer staging is a system that helps describe the severity of cancer. Taken into account are factors including the type of cancer (When examined under the microscope, do the cells resemble the tissue?) size, location and spread of the tumor (Has it spread? If yes, has it spread to local areas, lymph node and/or distant areas?) Each type of cancer has its own criteria and the criteria are constantly reviewed and adjusted as researchers learn more about that specific cancer’s characteristics, behavior and reaction to treatments.

It is very important that the staging of cancer be done with the utmost of accuracy. This information is essential to predict the person’s prognosis and outcome. Oncologists base treatment, chemotherapy, radiation and additional treatments on these findings.

Staging allows for coordination of care between healthcare providers. The common terminology facilitates communication between physicians caring for the patient because everyone is speaking the same language and studies have clearly shown that coordinated care leads to better outcomes.

- Jonathan D. Herman, MD FACOG
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