When a person is diagnosed with cancer, one of the first things doctors need to determine is the stage of the cancer. The stage indicates how far the cancer has spread within the body, whether it remains confined to a specific area or has moved to other organs or lymph nodes. Knowing the stage is essential because it helps doctors decide on the most appropriate treatment approach and gives insights into the patient’s prognosis.
The TNM System: Breaking Down the Staging Process According to Dr Amit Upadhyay, Senior Consultant of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology at PSRI Hospital, New Delhi, there are several different cancer staging systems, with the TNM system being the most widely used. This system breaks down cancer staging into three major components: T (Tumor): This factor measures the size of the primary tumour, with stages ranging from T0 to T4. A larger tumour corresponds to a higher stage.
N (Nodes): This measures whether cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes. An N0 stage means no spread, while N1, N2, and N3 indicate varying levels of lymph node involvement. M (Metastasis): M0 means the cancer has not spread to distant organs, whereas M1 indicates that it has metastasized to other areas of the body.
These three factors combined help doctors understand the extent of the disease and decide on a suitable treatment plan. What Do the Different Stages Mean? Dr Upadhyay explains that understanding the specific stage is vital for determining treatment. The stages range from 1.
