Stages I through III are for tumors that have only affected the primary site. Stage IV, on the other hand, refers to cancer that has spread beyond the primary site to nearby tissue. As a general rule, the higher the number, the larger the tumor is and the more distant it has spread. Stages 0 and TX refer to a cancer that has not spread beyond its primary site and TNM stands for tumor that has not metastasized to other parts of the body.
Both pathological and clinical stages of cancer are important to the diagnosis. The former provides more detailed information about the cancer and can be used to predict treatment response. Both stage types may require different types of treatment. For instance, some types of cancer may require treatments other than surgery. These treatments are referred to as “neoadjuvant” therapies and can reduce the size of the tumor before surgery is performed. In some cases, these treatments become the main treatment for cancer patients when surgery is not possible.
The difference between stage 0 and stage 1 is based on where the cancer is located. Stage 1 is localized, whereas stage 2 and stage 3 are regional. Stage 4 cancers have spread to distant parts of the body. They are known as metastatic cancer. The treatment for stage IV may be individualized depending on the cancer stage and location. There are two different ways to determine cancer stages, including using X-rays or computerized tomography.
The main differences between stage 0 and stage 1 are the type of cancer and its extent. Localized cancer is limited to the area where it began, while regional cancer has spread to lymph nodes or organs nearby. Stage 0 cancers are usually easy to treat, and doctors consider these cases as “pre-cancerous.”
The primary difference between stage 0 and stage 1 lung cancer is the amount of cancer spread. A tumor in stage 2 is more widespread than a stage 0 lung cancer, so treatment options will vary accordingly. Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) has two different stages, ranging from limited to extensive. SCLC uses a stage number system, but a lower stage is still better than stage 0 for survival. If cancer recurs, the stage may be restaged.
The first type is non-small cell lung cancer. This form of cancer has not spread to lymph nodes and has not metastasized to distant organs. Those who have stage 1A lung cancer may have a tumor between 1 and 2 cm in size. The second type, stage 1B, is described as adenocarcinoma. The latter is different from stage 1, which indicates that cancer has spread to the skin.
