Cancer staging systems

Cancer staging systems categorize how advanced a cancer is, based on factors like tumor size, spread to lymph nodes, and whether it has spread to other parts of the body. The most common system, called TNM, uses three main components: Tumor (size and location), Node (whether cancer has reached lymph nodes), and Metastasis (spread to other organs). Stages range from I (early, localized) to IV (advanced, spread-wide). This helps doctors determine the best treatment options and predict outcomes. Accurate staging provides a standardized way to understand and compare cancer progression across patients.