Accurate cancer staging is a critical tool used by multiple stakeholders, including patients and physicians. Researchers rely on cancer staging to stratify and select patients in clinical studies. Epidemiologists study the effects of population-based screening programs and cancer registries rely on this information to identify disease-related differences in outcomes. These stakeholders use cancer staging information to develop and implement strategies for improved patient care. Ultimately, the quality of cancer staging is critical to preventing and treating cancer.
The cancer staging process determines the extent of the cancer and its prognosis. It is based on the size of tumours in the patient’s primary site of origin and the extent to which the cancer has spread throughout the body. Accurate staging enables doctors to design treatment strategies based on the specific type of cancer and patient’s health status. Once the right cancer stage is determined, physicians can begin developing a personalized treatment plan to maximize the patient’s chance of survival.
Historically, there has been no consensus on the most appropriate terminology for cancer staging. For this reason, the UICC TNM Project, which is under the auspices of the CDC and NCI, held a global consultation on cancer staging in 2017. The purpose of the Global Consultation was to determine a common set of stage definitions and terminology for cancer stages. The global consultation sought to address the issues of consistency, universal utility, and the role of the anatomic extent of the disease in cancer staging. The consensus derived from the consultation process includes recommendations for a TNM classification that identifies the extent of the disease.
The TNM system was developed in the 1960s by Pierre Denoix. It was intended to quantify the anatomical burden of cancer and is now synonymous with determining prognosis. The TNM classification emphasizes the clinically-visible anatomical extent of the disease and ease of use. Many staging classifications have since been based on TNM. For example, the UICC TNM Classification provides a comprehensive and detailed description of the rules for cancer staging. The UICC Helpdesk also hosts webinars and clinical cases.
The study also highlights the importance of cancer staging in patients with SPI. Individuals with SPI or psychiatric diagnoses are more likely to miss cancer stages. Inaccurate cancer staging data impedes research and clinical care. Knowing why patients have incomplete data is essential to delivering excellent care. It is also important to note that SPI and cancer staging may be associated with disparate outcomes. Once the relationship is established, SPI patients should receive timely cancer diagnosis.
