What is Staging?
Once the pathologist returns the diagnosis of cancer the oncologist will want to know not only what type of cancer but also, what stage it is. Staging can be a very complicated process before the process is complete. Although exactly what staging is and what it isn’t is a fairly simple thing. What it doesn’t accomplish is giving a conclusion of your life span. Too many think that the staging will determine this. It simply doesn’t. What it does do is to give your doctor a jumpstart as to where the cancer is located. Sometimes, meaning where it has spread, metastasized to, or has originated.
Staging is done with your doctor ordering testing. It is usually all done by imaging services, such as Cat Scans, MRI’s, Pet Scans, X-rays, this is called, a Clinical Staging and sometimes it requires although not always, surgery and while, this is the most frightening it is just another way to find if it spread to Lymph Nodes or nearby tissues, if your doctor says you will need a Pathologic Staging, this is what he is talking about. These are the 2 different kinds of staging. Clinical and Pathologic and sometimes, they are both used.
Basically with a solid cancerous tumor they are using a staging system called, TNM. The T means the primary tumor, from there it is broken into smaller stages, if you will. It ranges from T0 to T4. This is common and used all the time. T0 means it has not spread, T4, means it has to nearly, tissues. The N means Nodes. Again, it is broken down into smaller stages, with T0 meaning no nodular involvement to N4, meaning it has extensively, spread. The M is the one most people erroneously fear the most. M0 means, all is well with M1 meaning it has metastasized or spread.
With a blood-borne cancer, such as I got, a Lymphoma or a Leukemia the staging system will be different since there is not a solid mass you are dealing with, it is with the blood and we all know it flows like a river, nothing solid about that unless, you got a blood clot.
Staging then entails I to IV. This is where it gets a little bit simpler to understand.
Stage One Means the cancer has only been found in one node or one area of nodes.
Stage Two This is where the cancer has been found in two nodes or two nodular areas/regions and on the same side of the diaphragm
Stage Three This is dealing with the cancer being found on both sides of the diaphragm.
Stage Four The cancer has spread to multiple locations, beyond the nodes or nodular areas/regions, (this is called Extranodal) with possibility, the bone marrow is involved in this stage.
Just to note that with different cancers, such as lung or colon again, the staging system is different, just like cancers are different. Along with the staging of blood-borne cancers the internal organs are also, staged. If the spleen is involved, it would include that, using, an S, for Spleen involvement. H for liver, M for bone marrow, P for lung, O for bone, D for skin and N for nodal, node.
Staging with Lymphoma, also has an additional classification regarding Symptoms or the lack of Symptoms. If a patient didn’t display symptoms they are classified, an A.
If a patient did displayed symptoms which can range from the most common of night sweats, low-grade fever, unexplained weight loss, they will be classified a, B.
While this may sound frightening do be rest assured that with even the most advanced stages, it can be dealt with, the staging, is a useful tool for the doctor and should not be held as a possible outcome of your health.
I was a Stage IV A, S, O and I am here, 12 years later. I am living, walking, and typing proof that staging isn’t the end-all.