Staging

Staging is determination of the extent of the tumor. A number of systems are used for staging. The most common is the TNM system.


 * T (tumor; indicates tumor size)
 * 1) Tx (size cannot be determined)
 * 2) T0 (none)
 * T1
 * 1) T2
 * 2) T3
 * 3) T4 (growing into surrounding tissues - skin etc.)
 * 4) Tis (carcinoma in situ)
 * N (nodes; tells us if regional lymph nodes) are affected
 * 1) Nx (cannot be determined)
 * 2) N0 (regional lymph node are not affected)
 * 3) N1
 * N2
 * N3
 * M (Metastases; tells, if distant metastases have been established)
 * 1) Mx (cannot be determined)
 * 2) M0 (no metastases presented )
 * 3) M1 (metastases present)

In the final analysis 5 stages with different prognosis are created:


 * St.0 – carcinoma in situ; without metastases
 * St.1 – small, invasive carcinoma; without metastases
 * St.2 – larger invasive carcinoma; there may be minor lymph node involvement
 * St.3 – extensive invasive carcinoma; extensive lymph node involvement
 * St.4 – distant metastases in any extent of primary tumour

from other staging systems should be mentioned:
 * Dukes system (I–III): is used for staging colorectal cancer .
 * FIGO system (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) (I–IV): is used for staging malignant cervical cancer.
 * Clark and Breslow classification: is used for staging Malignant melanoma.

Related articles

 * Tumour classification

Source

 * BENEŠ, Jiří. Study materials  [online]. © 2007. [feeling. 2010-03]. < http://jirben2.chytrak.cz/materialy/onko_JB.doc >.