9/12/2023 0 Comments Grapefruit size tumor on liverIf surgery is done, the pathologic stage (also called the surgical stage) is determined by examining tissue removed during an operation.Ĭancer staging can be complex, so ask your doctor to explain it to you in a way you understand.Ī single tumor 2 cm (4/5 inch) or smaller that hasn't grown into blood vessels (T1a). Liver cancer is usually staged based on the results of the physical exam, biopsies, and imaging tests (ultrasound, CT or MRI scan, etc.), also called a clinical stage. Once a person’s T, N, and M categories have been determined, this information is combined in a process called stage grouping to assign an overall stage. Higher numbers mean the cancer is more advanced. Numbers or letters after T, N, and M provide more details about each of these factors. The system described below is the most recent AJCC system, effective January 2018. The spread ( metastasis) to distant sites (M): Has the cancer spread to distant lymph nodes or distant organs such as the bones or lungs?.The spread to nearby lymph nodes (N): Has the cancer spread to nearby lymph nodes?.The extent (size) of the tumor (T): How large has the cancer grown? Is there more than one tumor in the liver? Has the cancer reached nearby structures like the veins in the liver?.The staging system most often used in the United States for liver cancer is the AJCC (American Joint Committee on Cancer) TNM system, which is based on 3 key pieces of information: There are several staging systems for liver cancer, and not all doctors use the same system. Although each person’s cancer experience is unique, cancers with similar stages tend to have a similar outlook and are often treated in much the same way. A higher number, such as stage IV, means cancer has spread more. As a rule, the lower the number, the less the cancer has spread. Liver cancer stages range from stage I (1) through IV (4). Doctors also use a cancer's stage when talking about survival statistics. It helps determine how serious the cancer is and how best to treat it. The stage of a cancer describes how much cancer is in the body. After someone is diagnosed with liver cancer, doctors will try to figure out if it has spread, and if so, how far.
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