Staging cancer is a way for doctors to figure out how serious the cancer is and how far it has spread. They use information from tests, like scans and biopsies, to decide the stage. Staging is important because it helps doctors plan the best care and gives patients a better idea of what’s happening in their body.
Stages of Cancer
Cancer is usually staged from 0 to 4. Stage 0 means the cancer is very small and hasn’t spread, often called “in situ.” Stage 1 usually means the cancer is small and only in one place. Stage 2 and 3 mean the cancer has grown larger or spread to nearby areas, like lymph nodes. The last stage (stage 4), sometimes called metastatic cancer, means it has spread to other parts of the body, like the lungs, liver, or bones.
By knowing the stage, doctors can also estimate how the cancer might behave over time and explain what treatments might work best. Staging helps everyone involved understand the situation better.
Which Cancer Treatments are Available
There are several ways to treat cancer, and the right treatment depends on the type of cancer and how far it has spread. Common treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and hormone therapy. Sometimes, a combination of these treatments is used to fight cancer more effectively. Each option has its purpose and is chosen based on what works best for the patient’s situation.
Surgery
Surgery is one of the most common ways to treat cancer. It involves removing the tumor from the body. In some cases, doctors also remove tissue around the tumor to ensure no cancer cells are left behind. Surgery can be the main treatment if the cancer hasn’t spread to other parts of the body, and it is often used along with other treatments like chemotherapy or radiation.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses strong medicines to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing. These medicines can be given as pills, through an IV, or sometimes as injections. Chemotherapy can treat cancer throughout the body because the medicines travel in the bloodstream. While it is effective, it can also cause side effects like hair loss or tiredness, as it can affect healthy cells too.
These aren’t the only cancer treatments. Continue reading on the next page and find more information about the other options.
