Cancer is
when cells or a tumor have departed far from what is recognized as normal with
respect to structure, growth, and replication. A tumor is a mass of cells whose
growth is atypical when compared to normal surrounding tissue structure, tumors
may be benign or malignant. A benign tumor is a noncancerous growth that
remains confined to the growth site, it may grow in size over time but does not
invade into surrounding tissues. A malignant tumor is cancerous that could
spread from its primary growth site to potentially distant sites by its ability
to metastasize. There are various stages of cancer, these stages describe the
extent or severity of a person’s cancer. It is beneficial to know what stage
the patient is in to help the doctors select a treatment plan and to assess the
patients’ prognosis. There are various staging systems that are used depending
on the type of cancer a person has.
“Principles and Practices of Toxicology in Public Health” by
Ira S. Richards and Marie Bourgeois. Pg 191
In this
blog I will be discussing the TNM staging system, it is based on the size
and/or extent of the primary tumor (T), the amount of spread to nearby lymph
nodes (N), and the presence of metastasis (M) or secondary tumors formed by the
spread of cancer cells to other parts of the body. A number is added to each
letter to indicate the size and/or extent of the primary tumor and the degree
of cancer spread.
If there is
an X placed next to any of the letters it means that the primary tumor/regional
lymph nodes/distant metastasis cannot be evaluated. If a 0 id placed next to
the T it means that there is no evidence of a primary tumor, if it is placed
next to the N there is no lymph node involvement, and if it is placed next to
the M there is no distant metastasis. If a 1, 2, 3, or 4 is placed next the the
T it represents the size and extent of the primary tumor. If a 1, 2, or 3 is
placed next to the N, it represents the degree of regional lymph node
involvement. If a 1 is placed next to the M, it means that distant metastasis
is present. If “is” is placed next to T,
it means that there is carcinoma in situ, or that abnormal cells are present
but have not spread to neighboring tissue and is not labeled as cancer but it
could become cancer.
To
determine what stage of cancer you are in there are various types of tests that
are used depending on what kind of cancer you have. Physical exams are when the
doctor examines the body by looking, feeling, and listening for anything
unusual. The results of this exam may show the location and size of tumor(s)
and the spread of cancer to the lymph nodes or any other tissues/organs.
Imaging studies produce pictures of areas inside the body. Examples of this
method are: x-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging
(MRI) scans, and positron emission tomography (PET) scans, which show the
location of cancer, the size of the tumor, and whether the cancer has spread.
Laboratory tests and surgical reports are also used to help determine the stage
of cancer.
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