Why is staging important to oncology?
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Staging helps oncologists decide the best way to treat your cancer. It also helps oncologists form a prognosis for the particular case of cancer concerned. Staging draws on current thought about the way that cancer develops and spreads. When staging a cancer, oncologists consider the location of the initial tumor, as well as the location of any additional tumors than may have appeared when the cancer spread. They consider the size of the tumors, as well. If the cancer has already spread, the areas to which it has spread are important. Cancer is typically considered more advanced when the cancerous cells no longer bear much resemblance to healthy cells, when the cancer has begun to spread or metastasize, and when the cancer has begun to affect the lymphatic system.
Staging helps oncologists decide the best way to treat your cancer. It also helps oncologists form a prognosis for the particular case of cancer concerned. Staging draws on current thought about the way that cancer develops and spreads. When staging... More -
Dr. Vincent T DeVita Jr answered:Since different treatment approaches are used if a tumor is localized or widespread, your doctor needs to determine the extent of the tumor. This is referred to as staging of the cancer.Since different treatment approaches are used if a tumor is localized or widespread, your doctor needs to determine the extent of the tumor. This is referred to as staging of the cancer. More -
Dr. Camille McGann answered:Staging is VERY important in oncology, because the doctor uses this information to decide on the best treatment approach (Surgery +/- Radiation Therapy +/- Chemotherapy). For example, if the cancer is "localized" (meaning it is contained in the area where it originally began), then the doctor may decide that only one type of cancer treatment is necessary. Let's take Skin Cancer for example, they tend to be localized and a simple surgery (excision/mohs) may be the only thing needed. However, in another example such as localized breast cancer, surgery (lumpectomy) and radiation therapy would be required with chemotherapy added based on certain other factors (size of tumor, spread to Lymph node, etc.,)
Unfortunately, in some other cases, where the cancer has spread beyond the site of origin, the "staging" information will inform the doctor that surgery can no longer be used to remove all the cancer, or radiation therapy cannot be used to control it entirely; then they may offer chemotherapy alone. The doctor will have a discussion with the patient and their family, explaining the staging and treatment options and recommendations.
Staging is VERY important in oncology, because the doctor uses this information to decide on the best treatment approach (Surgery +/- Radiation Therapy +/- Chemotherapy). For example, if the cancer is "localized" (meaning it is contained... More
