Stages of Soft Tissue Cancer
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Staging
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This is the method by which doctors and health care personnel determine the extent of the cancer. Biopsies and imaging help evaluate the cancer's appearance. Other parts of the body where the cancer might spread are also examined. Based on such tests, doctors can judge the malignancy and how fast the cancer might advance. Thus, they are able to establish the patient's chances of survival and select the best treatment options.
TNM System
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The American Joint Committee on Cancer uses this system to determine various stages of cancer.
The "T" stands for the size of the tumor. "T1" denotes that the sarcoma is less than 5 centimeters; "T2" means it is larger and may be located near the surface (T2a) or deep in the internal organs (T2b).
"N" stands for lymph nodes and indicates whether these immune system cells have been affected. "N0" means that no sarcoma is present in any of the lymph nodes, while "N1" affirms their presence.
Lastly, "M" stands for metastasis, which is the spread of the cancer to other organs. "M0" designates that no metastasis has occurred; "M1" means that the sarcoma has spread to distant organs. -
Histologic Grade
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Scrutinizing the sarcoma cells under a microscope helps estimate the likelihood of the cancer spreading. There are four levels of histologic grade: At level G1, the tumor still resembles normal tissue, which implies slow growth. G2 means there is less resemblance and faster growth. G3 denotes little similarity with normal tissue and an even faster growth rate. At G4, the tumor has no similarity with normal tissue, and the growth of the cancer is at its fastest.
Four Stages of Soft Tissue Cancer
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By grouping together TNM and histologic grade factors, physicians delineate the four stages of soft tissue cancer:
Stage I - not too different from normal tissue (G1-G2); can be any size (T1-T2); has not affected the lymph nodes (N0); and has not metastasized (M0).
Stage II - looks very different from normal tissue (G3-G4); can be any size, but if it is larger it is most likely near the surface (T1 or T2a); no effects on lymph node or distant organs (N0 and M0).
Stage III - looks very different from normal tissue and is reproducing at a quick rate (G3-G4); large and located deep in the internal organs (T2b); has not spread to the lymph nodes or other organs (N0 and M0).
Stage IV - may or may not resemble normal tissue (G1-G4); can be any size (T1-T2); has spread and affected the lymph nodes and other organs (N1 and M1).
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