What is the TNM classification system for cancer?

A system to describe the amount and spread of cancer in a patient’s body, using TNM. T describes the size of the tumor and any spread of cancer into nearby tissue; N describes spread of cancer to nearby lymph nodes; and M describes metastasis (spread of cancer to other parts of the body).

What are the TNM stages?

In the TNM system, the overall stage is determined after the cancer is assigned a letter or number to describe the tumor (T), node (N), and metastasis (M) categories. T describes the original (primary) tumor. N tells whether the cancer has spread to the nearby lymph nodes.

What is a 4 stage cancer?

Stage 4 cancer is sometimes referred to as metastatic cancer, because it often means the cancer has spread from its origin to distant parts of the body. This stage may be diagnosed years after the initial cancer diagnosis and/or after the primary cancer has been treated or removed.

What Is a Stage 2 cancer?

Stage 2 cancer refers to larger tumors or cancers that have grown more deeply into nearby tissue. In this stage, the cancer may have spread to the lymph nodes, but not to other parts of the body. At Cancer Treatment Centers of America® (CTCA), our cancer experts recognize that stage 2 cancer is a complex disease.

Are there different types of cancer staging systems?

There are many staging systems. Some, such as the TNM staging system, are used for many types of cancer. Others are specific to a particular type of cancer.

How are the different stages of cancer determined?

Stages of Cancer. Staging helps describe where a cancer is located, if or where it has spread, and whether it is affecting other parts of the body. Doctors often use diagnostic tests to determine a cancer’s stage. Staging may not be complete until all of these tests are finished.

How is the pathologic stage used in cancer treatment?

The pathologic stage gives the health care team more precise information that can be used to predict treatment response and outcomes (prognosis). There are different types of staging systems, but the most common and useful staging system for most types of cancers is the TNM system.

Which is the best staging system for thyroid cancer?

The staging system most often used for thyroid cancer is the AJCC (American Joint Committee on Cancer) TNM system, which is based on 3 key pieces of information: The extent (size) of the t umor (T): How large is the cancer? Has it grown into nearby structures?

What is the TNM classification system for cancer? A system to describe the amount and spread of cancer in a patient’s body, using TNM. T describes the size of the tumor and any spread of cancer into nearby tissue; N describes spread of cancer to nearby lymph nodes; and M describes metastasis (spread of cancer…