Info
Stage (I–IV)
Diagnosis
What it means
An international classification (the TNM system) that shows how far the cancer has spread: T = the primary tumor, N = lymph nodes involved, M = metastases. Stage I = localised disease, Stage IV = disease that has spread to distant sites. The stage determines the treatment plan.
Related terms
The terms below often appear alongside this one. Each definition is right here, so you do not have to look elsewhere.
- Metastasis
- The spread of cancer cells from the site of origin to other organs or tissues. Metastases show that the disease has spread to distant sites and they influence the stage, the prognosis and the type of treatment recommended.
- AFP (alpha-fetoprotein)
- A tumor marker useful especially for liver cancer and certain testicular or ovarian tumors. It is measured in the blood for diagnosis, monitoring treatment and detecting a recurrence.
- ALK-positive
- A gene rearrangement found in a subset of lung cancers, more common in non-smoking or younger patients. ALK-positive tumors often respond very well to specific targeted therapies, different from standard chemotherapy.
Other terms in “Diagnosis”
Glossary definitions are written for patients by the OncoDots team and go through internal medical review. They explain terms; they do not establish a diagnosis and do not recommend a treatment.