Cancer is generally divided into five stages, from stage 0, in which the presence of irregular or cancer cells are known, to stage IV, in which the cancer has spread to one or several other parts of the body. The higher the number of cancer staging, the more difficult the cancer is to treat due to the progression and spread of cancer cells. According to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, there are certain cancers that are not "staged," and they are cancers of the bone marrow and leukemia. All other cancers are given a stage.
Stage II
Stage II cancer is often diagnosed when the cancer cells have spread beyond their localized region. For example, lung cancer cells can begin to invade the tissue of neighboring organs, such as the liver or pancreas. A diagnosis of stage II cancer does not mean the end is near; it simply means that the cancer is beginning to spread. Stage II cancers are still very treatable.
Stage III
Stage III cancers are a bit more difficult to treat. The cancerous cells are spreading further throughout the body. In stage II, the cells are moving into nearby tissues. In stage III, the cells are moving throughout the body and into the lymph nodes. The National Cancer Institute explains that in stage III, the tumor itself can grow and spread into nearby organs.
Stage IV
Stage IV cancer is often considered the final stage, as the disease has spread far beyond the original diagnosed organ. The cells have spread to several lymph nodes, and they can now be found in distant organs of the body and not just those close to the original site. For example, lung cancer cells may now be found in the liver or the bones.
