What Are The Stages Of Cancer?

The TNM System Descriptions

The TNM system is a standard and universal system utilized by medical professionals to describe the severity and spread of malignancy in an individual's body. The International Union Against Cancer and the American Joint Committee On Cancer are credited for the creation of the TNM system. The TNM system is widely accepted internationally for most cancers involving solid tumors, but does not apply to tumors of the central nervous system and leukemia. The alphanumeric code that describes the size of a primary tumor and whether or not it has metastasized is T. N is the alphanumeric code that describes cancer when any regional or neighboring lymph nodes are affected. M is the alphanumeric code that describes when an individual's cancer has spread from one part of their body to another or exhibits distant metastasis. Each letter of the TNM system is accompanied by a number describing the extent of the tumor concerning that particular description.

Read about other staging factors next.