Oncologist decodes cancer staging and its role in treatment: How it’s done and why it’s critical

-

(via google)

 From stage 0 to stage IV, here’s why cancer staging is essential for determining treatment, explained the oncologist.


Cancer staging is the process of determining what stage the cancer is in; this helps in guiding treatment decisions and predicting prognosis. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Pushpinder Gulia, director, surgical oncology and robotic surgery, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram said, “The first step in any cancer management is establishing a diagnosis which is usually done with a biopsy. The second step is staging of the disease which helps the patient to make informed decisions and the oncologist to select the most appropriate treatment approach and prognosticate the disease.

What is cancer staging?

“Staging of any cancer indicates the size and its relation to adjacent structures, involvement of lymph nodes or involvement of distant organs. Staging is a complex procedure which includes examination by the treating oncologist, biopsy of the lesion, Radiological investigations like (USG, CT, MRI, PET/CT) and sometimes endoscopies and laparoscopy to delineate the extent of the cancer and it is a blueprint for treatment decision making and prognostic,” the oncologist explained. 

How is the cancer stage determined?

Dr Pushpinder Gulia said that TNM staging is one of the most common staging systems that offers a standardised system for evaluation of the disease and is followed worldwide.

  • T (Tumour, T0-T4): Size of the tumour and involvement of surrounding structures

  • N (Node, N0-N3): Surrounding lymph nodes involved or not

  • M (Metastasis, M0- M1): Spread to distant organs

“Stages are arranged from stage 0 (precancerous) to Stage IV (Metastatic), depending upon the various permutations and arrangements of all the three factors,” the doctor added.

How cancer staging helps treatment:

  • Standardised system of evaluation.

  • Clinical decision making by treating oncologists, about the type and intent of the treatment.

  • Informed decisions can be taken by patients and relatives.

  • Actual treatment planning and individualised approach.

  • Prognostication of the disease.

  • Staging is a dynamic process as it keeps on adding the changes depending upon the trials, diagnostic and technological advancements.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Skipping Breakfast? Here’s How It’s Damaging Your Teeth and Smile 🦷

-
Image
  We’ve all heard that skipping breakfast is bad for health, but did you know it can also harm your teeth? Yes—your bright smile may be one of the first things to suffer when you ditch that morning meal. Whether it’s the office rush, a habit of drinking only coffee in the morning, or following intermittent fasting (16:8 method), many people skip breakfast without realising the silent damage it does to their oral health. According to Lt. Gen. Dr Vimal Arora, Chief Clinical Officer at Clove Dental, skipping breakfast is a big dental threat. Let’s break down why. ​​But this comes at the cost of your dental health, as Dr Arora said it backfires on you, despite the many benefits. He said, “Skipping breakfast leads to longer fasting windows, which alter the body’s internal rhythm. The result? Increased gastric acid production and a rise in GERD symptoms, especially in the morning. That lingering burning sensation you feel when you wake up? That’s stomach acid making its way into your oes...
Read more

Orthopedic doctor explains how desk jobs affects joints, warns against stiffness and weakness

-
Image
Desk jobs lead to joint stiffness and chronic pain, says orthopedic specialist. Make sure you take short breaks and exercise regularly to prevent damage. If your typical working day involves sitting for long hours on your chair, you may want to pay special attention to your overall health. While sitting may seem relaxing as compared to physical labour, it brings a hidden cost to physical health, particularly to our joints. According to Dr Ashish Mittal, Director and Unit Head - Department of Orthopaedics & Joint Replacement, Arthroscopy & Sports Injury - Max Hospital, Dehradun, long periods of desk work can subtly exacerbate chronic pain, muscular imbalances, and joint stiffness, particularly in the neck, shoulders, spine, hips, knees, and wrists. Side effects of desk jobs on joint health Desk-bound jobs limit mobility, which lowers blood flow and lubrication in the joints and increases their susceptibility to stiffness and degeneration over time, Dr Mittal tells Health Shots. ...
Read more

The cardiologist explains 'you have 2 hearts and when 1 heart weakens, the other pays the price': The second is in your…

-
Image
  (via google) The concept of having 'two hearts' might seem unusual, but it refers to the crucial role of the calf muscles in supporting cardiovascular health. Here's how. Cardiologist, Dr Dmitry Yaranov asked his Instagram followers to 'keep their calf muscles strong for life' in a post on August 27. Why? The cardiologist noted that by providing attention to calf health, we can support overall heart health and decrease our risk of cardiovascular disease.  He discusses how calf muscles are often referred to as the 'second heart' because of their importance in supporting blood circulation. In his post, Dr Yaranov said, “You don’t have one heart. You have two. The first is in your chest. The second is in your calves. Every step, every heel raise, every muscle squeeze pushes blood back to your real heart, keeps your circulation alive, and stops deadly clots from forming.” What happens when calf muscles weaken (via google) The cardiologist stressed on the need...
Read more