What are Stages of Cancer? Its Symptoms and Treatment Options

• Written by Jyotsana Shekhawat

  Reviewed by Akhil Pillai

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Cancer is a disease that often comes as a surprise and leaves you in distress. However, cancer can often be cured if the stage is known and it is diagnosed in time. Cancer staging helps determine the extent of its growth and location in the body, which guides treatment decisions. Doctors conduct tests to see if the cancer has spread to surrounding tissues or other parts of the body. Staging also considers the grade of the cancer, which describes how abnormal the cancer cells appear compared to normal cells.Diagnosing the stage of cancer is crucial, as it informs the necessary treatment plan

Doctors typically recommend local treatment, such as surgery or radiotherapy, if the cancer has not spread. Timely treatment can significantly improve chances of complete recovery.

This blog will help you understand the 5 stages of cancer and what they denote.

Staging is the only way of determining the severity and type of your cancer. An early stage of cancer might respond well to radiation therapy or surgery after the right kind of diagnosis, whereas a later stage of cancer may respond to rigorous chemotherapy, targeted drug therapy and immunotherapy.

What is Cancer?

Cancer is a group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled cell growth and division. This disruption of the normal cell cycle leads to the uncontrolled proliferation of cells, which can form tumors that may be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Cancer cells typically give rise to:

• Uncontrolled growth
• Loss of apoptosis (cell death)
• Cell penetration into neighbouring tissues and organs
• Genetic mutations

There are over 200 different types of cancer, such as leukemia, breast cancer, and lung cancer, each with its own distinct features

Cancer is staged based on tumor size and the extent of metastasis (spread) to other organs. We will now discuss the five stages of cancer.

Now that we have read how many stages of cancer there are, let’s move on to understanding how each of these types are diagnosed.

How Many Stages of Cancer Are There?

Medical experts classify most cancers into five stages to indicate severity. As the stage number increases, the cancer becomes more severe, and survival rates typically decrease. Doctors employ various methods to classify and stage cancer following a diagnosis.

However, not all cancers, such as leukemia, are staged. Leukemia, being a blood cancer, is not typically staged. Similarly, brain cancer may involve different diagnostic approaches.

Cancer is staged using a pattern of the TNM system:

• Tumour, or the size of the tumour
• Node, or if the cancer is spread in the lymph nodes
• Metastasis, or if cancer has spread to parts of the body.

Let’s explore the 5 stages of cancer in detail-

Stage 0

In Stage 0 cancer, also known as carcinoma in situ, a doctor identifies abnormal tissue that has not yet grown or spread. The abnormal cells are not cancerous but pose a risk of developing into cancer without timely diagnosis and treatment. Treatment often involves removing the abnormal cells and surrounding tissue. Early diagnosis of Stage 0 cancer greatly increases the chances of survival.

Stage 1

Stage 1 cancer is the earliest stage, characterized by a small tumor that has not spread to surrounding tissues or lymph nodes. This localized stage of cancer is typically treated with surgery or radiation therapy to remove the cancerous cells. Stage 1 cancer generally has a higher survival rate compared to more advanced stages.

Stage 2

Stage 2 cancer typically means the tumor has grown larger and may have spread to nearby tissues or lymph nodes. This regional stage of cancer requires varied treatment approaches depending on the cancer type. Additionally, the patient's age and overall health can influence the treatment plan.

Treatment often includes surgery or radiation therapy to remove the tumor. Survival chances for individuals with Stage 2 cancer vary depending on age, general health, and cancer type. Stage 2 cancer is generally treatable if diagnosed early, with a reasonably high survival rate.

Stage 3

Stage 3 cancer is more severe than 0-2 stages of cancer, as the tumour invades nearby tissues and affects lymph nodes. Cancer grows and spreads to distant parts of the body parts and makes them infected. This stage is referred to as the distant stage of cancer.

The diagnosis totally depends on the type of cancer, and treatment could get more intense than less severe stages.

As compared to the first three stages, Stage 3 cancer has a lower survivability rate. Moreover, a person's age and overall health have a substantial contribution to their chances of survival.

Stage 4

Stage 4 cancer is the most advanced and severe stage, characterized by a large tumor that has spread to distant organs and body areas. Medical experts typically recommend aggressive and intensive treatments to slow or stop cancer growth and provide palliative care. Stage 4 cancer is sometimes referred to as metastatic cancer, due to its widespread nature.

Doctors often use a combination of radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and surgery. These treatments are tailored to individual patient needs, considering age and overall health. Stage 4 cancer generally has a less favorable prognosis than earlier stages.

You can also refer to the article stages of cancer for detailed information on the same.

>> Also read: Can stress cause Cancer? Here is what you need to know

How Is Cancer Stage Determined?

Cancer staging involves a number of tests–including blood tests–and evaluations to identify tumour characteristics, metastasis, and lymph node involvement. Here below are the methods used to determine cancer stage:

• Physical examination: The diagnosis begins with the assessment. Here, doctors check for swelling, lumps, and any abnormalities there are. The assessment also involves evaluating family history and symptoms.
• Imaging tests: Tests like X-rays, CT scans, PET scans, and MRIs are run to visualise tumour size and spread. Ultrasound is also used to determine cell growth.
• Biopsy: This method involves extraction and examination of the tissue sample. Biopsy helps confirm the malignancy and other tumour characteristics.
• Endoscopy & laparoscopy: These procedures involve examination of the organs using a camera-guided tube.
• Molecular and genetic testing: This cancer staging method helps determine specific mutations (for example, EGFR in ling cancer, HER2 in breast cancer, etc).

Takeaway

Staging is one of the essential diagnoses if you are found to have cancer, and you have to undergo the tests post-haste to stop cancer from spreading inside you. If you feel anything alarming and needs your attention, consult your healthcare provider at the earliest and begin your diagnosis. Early diagnosis of cancer saves thousands of lives and gives them the strength to live their life happily.

Basic health insurance may not cover the treatment cost of Cancer. There will always be limitations in these plans, which may not allow you to avail of the treatment that caters you complete coverage of your cancer treatment. Care health insurance offers a comprehensive cancer insurance plan that covers the cost of the treatments/therapies related to Cancer. It is always wise to buy cancer insurance to give a safety cushion to your future. Check your policy document for the inclusions and exclusions.

Disclaimer: Underwriting of cancer claims is subject to policy terms and conditions.