Cancer classification
“Cancer classification” is a system used by doctors to group patients according the type, the extent of growth and spread of the cancer. Cancer classification is important because it helps doctors to:
- Estimate the chances of a good recovery;
- Select the most suitable treatment program;
- Avoid unnecessary treatments.
Cancer classification has two essential parts: a cancer staging that allows doctors to define the tumor size and where it has spread; and a cancer grading that describes the aspect and behavior of the individual cancer cells.
Both cancer staging and grading describe the type of cancer and the way it grows and spreads in your body.
Cancer markers are chemicals found in the blood, urine or body tissue that may show the presence of cancer. They are helpful indicators of a possible cancer. The presence of the cancer and its progression or response to therapy needs to be verified by other tests.
