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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.

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.

Dr Upadhyay explains that understanding the specific stage is vital for determining treatment. The stages range from 1 to 4, with each stage representing a different level of cancer progression:

Stage 1: The tumour is still confined to one area and can often be treated with a single method, such as surgery or radiation. In some cases, chemotherapy may be used as an additional treatment.

Stage 2 and Stage 3: These are considered locally advanced cancers where the tumour has spread into surrounding tissues or lymph nodes. Treatments typically involve a combination of surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and sometimes immunotherapy.

Stage 4: This is metastatic cancer, where the tumour has spread to distant organs such as the liver, lungs, or bones. Treatment at this stage often involves systemic therapies like chemotherapy or immunotherapy.

Stages 1 to 3 generally represent cancers that are localised or have spread to nearby areas. These cancers are often treatable and, depending on the stage, maybe curable with surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy. Dr Upadhyay says that staging helps doctors predict the best outcomes for patients, as cancers diagnosed in these stages have a higher chance of successful treatment.

For cancer that reaches stage 4, it has spread to distant organs, making it more difficult to treat. At this point, the focus often shifts from curative treatment to palliative care, aimed at improving quality of life and extending survival. Dr Upadhyay explains that while a stage 4 diagnosis is more challenging, systemic treatments like chemotherapy and immunotherapy are often the best options for controlling the spread and managing symptoms.

To accurately determine the cancer stage, Dr Patil explains that a full-body PET-CT scan is often performed before treatment. This scan helps doctors understand whether the cancer has spread within the organ or to other parts of the body.

For example, in the case of breast cancer:

Stage 0: Stage 0 breast cancer, also known as ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), is a non-invasive breast cancer that occurs when abnormal cells are found in the lining of the breast ducts. It is a pre-invasive cancer, meaning the cancer cells have not spread beyond the breast ducts into the surrounding breast tissue.

"Stage 0 breast cancer, though non-invasive, is crucial to identify and monitor because it can progress if left untreated," says Dr Pratik Patil, Consultant, Medical Oncology at Jupiter Hospital, Pune. "Understanding the presence of DCIS helps in determining whether intervention is necessary and can prevent the development of invasive cancer."

Stage 1: The cancer is confined to the breast.

Stage 2: The cancer has spread to nearby breast tissue or fat.

Stage 3: The cancer involves the breast, surrounding tissue, and lymph nodes in the axilla (underarm area).

Stage 4: The cancer has spread to distant organs like the lungs or liver.

Dr Patil says that the higher the stage, the more aggressive the treatment generally needs to be. For cancers in stages 3 or 4, chemotherapy or injectable therapies are often necessary. However, for earlier stages, surgery is often the first line of treatment, with chemotherapy used afterwards if necessary.

In addition to informing the treatment approach, understanding the stage helps doctors gauge the prognosis. Stage 1 to 3 cancers are generally considered curable, with a low risk of recurrence. In contrast, stage 4 cancers typically have a poor prognosis, and treatment focuses more on extending life and enhancing comfort.

Both D Upadhyay and Dr Patil stress the importance of performing accurate staging tests, such as a PET-CT scan, before beginning treatment. By doing so, doctors can plan the most effective course of action, improving the chances of a successful outcome and, in some cases, even curing the cancer.

In conclusion, understanding the stage of cancer is crucial not only for determining the right treatment plan but also for assessing the patient’s chances of recovery. Early-stage cancers are more treatable and have better outcomes, while stage 4 cancers require more specialized, palliative care. Staging is an essential part of the cancer journey, guiding both the treatment approach and the long-term prognosis.

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