1. What Is Staging?
Your health care providers use many different tests, scans and procedures to gather information in the staging process. This information is then organized into stages that illustrate the extent of your cancer. Staging is used as a communication tool to accurately describe your cancer and how far it has spread through the body. Treatments are different for different types and stages of cancer; the staging process directs your health care providers to the most effective treatment plan for you.
2. What Are Lymph Nodes?
Lymph nodes are nodules of lymphatic tissue ranging in size from a pinhead to an olive. Their function is to produce lymphocytes and monocytes and act as filters of particular substances (such as bacteria and viruses)--not allowing entry into the blood stream. Cancer cells may also be stopped here, but they can accumulate and then pass through to the lymph system, spreading throughout the body. Determining involvement of the lymph nodes with oral cancer is important in determining the extent of involvement of the cancer in the body outside the lip and mouth region.
3. Staging of Oral Cancer
Stage 0--also called carcinoma in situ--is the discovery of abnormal cells that may become cancer on the lining of the lips or oral cavity. Stage I is a malignant tumor that is 2 cm or smaller with no involvement of the lymph nodes. Stage II is a cancerous tumor from 2 to 4 cm, again with no involvement of the lymph nodes. Stage III depicts a tumor larger than 4 cm, or a tumor of any size coupled with one single lymph node that is 3 cm or smaller found on the same side of the body. Stage IV is divided into three categories--A, B and C--depicting the further progression of lymph involvement and increasing size of the tumor or cancer found in other regions of the body.
4. Metastasis of Oral Cancer
Metastasis of oral cancer is defined as the moving of cancer cells from the lining of the lips and mouth to other parts of the body. This process adds a secondary cancer to the original diagnosis or oral cancer. Common sites of metastasis of oral cancer include the muscle, bones, base of the skull and the carotid artery. Metastasis is important in staging to help health care providers gauge the extent and invasiveness of the cancer and required treatment.
5. Staging and Prognosis
Staging is also important in predicting a patient's prognosis. Several factors play a role in determining the potential for recovery. As staging progresses, the prognosis becomes less positive. Whether the oral cancer is found in the lip or the oral cavity can have an impact on prognosis, as well as if there has been any metastasis to the blood vessels.
