Cancer staging is essential for cancer diagnosis and treatment. It helps determine the extent of cancer in the body. This includes evaluation of the cancer stage, size, location and whether it has spread to other areas of the body. With the help of cancer staging, doctors can find out how far the cancer has progressed and choose the most appropriate treatment. Know the significance of cancer staging below.
Importance of Cancer Staging
Cancer staging is usually done with the TNM system. It helps evaluate three factors that have been mentioned below.
1. T- Tumour (T)
It refers to the size of the primary tumour and how much it has grown.
2. N- Node (N)
This indicates whether the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes.
3. M- Metastasis (M)
It shows if the cancer has spread to distant areas of the body.
The importance of cancer staging has been mentioned below.
1. Treatment Planning
Cancer staging enables doctors to identify the nature of cancer. This allows them to create a treatment plan suited to their patient’s needs. In the early stages of cancer, doctors may recommend surgery and localized radiation, while in advanced stages, systemic therapies such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy are required. Staging helps doctors decide whether the cancer can be operated. If you want to know more in this regard, you can consult our cancer doctor in Dumdum.
2. Survival Rates
Staging also allows the doctors to predict the treatment outcome. Generally, patients with early-stage cancers have better survival rates. This is because the cancer is localized and can be treated effectively. On the other hand, stage 4 cancers that have spread to other areas of the body are harder to treat. For this reason, patients with advanced-stage cancers have low survival rates. Knowing the stage, therefore, helps doctors to inform patients and their families about what to expect in terms of survival rates and quality of life.
3. Monitoring Treatment Effectiveness
Cancer staging is not a one-time thing; it is an ongoing process. After treatment starts, doctors use staging to monitor how well the treatment is working. If a cancer is no longer spreading and shrinking in size, it can be an indication that treatment is working. Biopsies and regular imaging tests help doctors stay up-to-date with the treatment progress.
Conclusion
Cancer staging allows doctors to choose the best treatment for their patients. Visit SH Binayak, one of the best cancer hospital in Dumdum to connect with our doctors and determine the exact stage of the disease.