In general, low-grade tumors grow less rapidly and higher-grade tumors grow more rapidly. Different grading systems are used for different types of cancer. In general, tumors are assigned a grade of 1, 2, or 3 and occasionally 4 , based on how abnormal their cells look under a microscope. The stage of a solid tumor refers to its size or extent and whether or not it has spread to other organs and tissues.
Each type of cancer tumor has its own, often complex, staging system. The following is a general list of stages of cancer:. Stage 0 or carcinoma in situ. Carcinoma in situ is considered pre-malignant or pre-cancer. Abnormal cells are found only in the first layer of cells in the place where the changes first started.
The cells do not invade the deeper tissues. These cells may become cancer over time, so it's good to find and treat them before that happens. Most kinds of cancer do not use this stage. Stage I. Cancer is only in the cells where it first started and the area is small. This is considered early stage and most curable. Stage II. Cancer is in the organ where it first started. Stage III. Cancer in the organ where it first started. Stage IV. Your cancer doctor will be able to tell you more.
The grade of a cancer — this is about what the cancer cells look like compared to normal cells. Your doctors will look at the cancer cells under a microscope to find the grade of the cancer. The grade gives an idea of how quickly the cancer may grow. Staging There are different staging systems for different types of cancer.
TNM stands for tumour, node and metastases. T describes the size of the tumour. This is usually a number between 1 and 4. N describes whether the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. The number can be between 0 and 3. M describes whether the cancer has spread to another part of the body known as metastatic or secondary cancer. The number is either 0 or 1. Number staging system Another commonly used staging system is the number system.
Other terms used Your doctor may use other words to describe the stage of the cancer: carcinoma in situ localised locally advanced advanced. Grading Grading is about how the cancer cells look under the microscope compared with normal cells. Many cancers use the following grading system: Grade 1, low-grade or well differentiated — the cancer cells look similar to normal cells and usually grow more slowly. Grade 2, moderate or intermediate-grade — the cancer cells look more abnormal and are slightly faster growing.
Numbers 1—4 describe how much the tumour has grown. NX: Unable to evaluate lymph nodes. N0: No cancer found in lymph nodes. N1 to N3: Cancer has spread into lymph nodes. Numbers 1—3 are based on how many nodes are involved and how much cancer is found in them. M0: Cancer hasn't spread to other parts of the body. M1: Cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Tumour grades A tumour's grade, from 1 to 4, describes how its cells look under a microscope.
What tests are used to find a cancer's stage and grade? Physical examinations. For some cancers, looking at or feeling the body part involved can give doctors information about how far a cancer has advanced.
Imaging tests. Tests that help doctors look inside the body to find tumours include: X-ray. CT scan. PET scan. This procedure—to collect tissue samples—can help doctors decide the stage or the grade of cancer.
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