Tumor Grading and Staging for Cancer

Introduction

• Presented by Sarah from registerednessrn.com
• Discusses tumor grading and staging for cancer
• Video includes a free quiz to test knowledge

Tumor Grading

• Definition: Assesses tumor cells under a microscope
• Process:
  • Doctor removes part of the tumor
  • Sent to a pathologist
  • Pathologist analyzes cell size, shape, color, and arrangement
  • Determines deviation from normal cells
• Terminology:
  • Well Differentiated:
    • Cells similar to normal cells
    • Low grade, slow growth and spread
  • Poorly Differentiated:
    • Cells abnormal
    • High grade, rapid growth and spread
• Numerical Rating:
  • Varies by cancer type (e.g., Nottingham score for breast cancer)
  • General scale: Grade 1-4
    • Grade 1: Well differentiated, low grade
    • Grade 2: Moderately differentiated, intermediate grade
    • Grade 3: Poorly differentiated, high grade
    • Grade 4: Undifferentiated, high grade

Tumor Staging

• Purpose: Describes tumor's location, size, and spread
• Importance:
  • Develops treatment plans
  • Determines clinical trial eligibility
  • Provides insight on aggression and treatability
• Stage Designation:
  • Stage set at diagnosis does not change
  • Changes in the cancer are noted but original stage remains
  • Can be staged at different times:
    • Clinical Staging: Based on tests and physical findings
    • Pathological Staging: After surgery
    • Post Therapy Staging: After treatment

TNM Staging System

• Usage: For solid tumors (e.g., colon cancer), not blood cancers
• Categories:
  • T (Tumor):
    • Describes main tumor's growth and tissue involvement
    • Higher number indicates more growth
    • Notations:
      • TX: Tumor can't be measured
      • T0: No tumor found
      • Tis: Tumor in situ (original location)
      • T1-T4: Size and growth variations
  • N (Nodes):
    • Cancer spread to regional lymph nodes
    • Higher number indicates more lymph node involvement
    • Notations:
      • NX: Nodes can't be measured
      • N0: No cancer in nodes
      • N1-N3: Number and location of cancerous nodes
  • M (Metastasis):
    • Cancer spread to other body parts
    • Notations:
      • M0: No metastasis found
      • M1: Metastasis present

Additional Notations

• Lowercase Letters: Indicate specific conditions
  • c: Clinical staging (before treatment)
  • p: Pathological staging (after surgery)
  • y: Post-therapy staging
  • r: Recurrence of cancer

Staging Numbers

• Stage 0-4:
  • Stage 0: Cancer in situ
  • Stage 1: Localized cancer
  • Stage 2: Spread to surrounding tissues/close lymph nodes
  • Stage 3: Deeper spread, further lymph nodes
  • Stage 4: Metastatic cancer, spread to other body parts

Conclusion

• Review covers tumor grading and staging
• Free quiz available to test knowledge