Being told that you have cancer can turn your world upside down. Many people feel overwhelmed, shocked, scared, numb, anxious and/or angry. We understand that this is a challenging time, and
we’re here to support you. Taking the time to understand your diagnosis can empower you and help you navigate the journey ahead.
There are many parts to a cancer diagnosis. Your doctor will tell you the type and stage of the cancer you have.
The type of cancer is named after the part of the body where it started. For example, lung cancer starts in the lungs; and prostate cancer starts in the prostate. In some cases, cancer cells move to different parts of the body. If the cancer moves (metastasizes) to a different part of your body, it is still the same type of cancer. For example, cancer that starts in the lungs but has spread to the bones is called lung cancer with bone metastases.
Stage of cancer
Cancer staging describes how much cancer is in the body and where it is located. To determine the stage, your doctor will assess:
- The size and location of the original tumour
- Whether the cancer has spread to nearby tissues
- If it has reached lymph nodes or other parts of the body
Knowing the type and stage of your cancer helps your care team choose the most effective treatment. If you have questions about clinical trials, speak with your primary nurse or oncologist.
Note: Cancer staging is not used for most cancers of the blood.
Methods used for cancer staging
Staging is based on several tests, often including surgery:
- Surgery – Surgical findings describe tumour size, appearance, and observations about lymph nodes and other organs.
- Physical examination – Checks for tumour size, location, and spread.
- Imaging studies – X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI) scans, and positron emission tomography (PET) scans show tumour size,
location, and spread. - Laboratory tests – Blood, urine, tissue, and other fluid samples reveal information about your cancer and how it is affecting your organs.
- Pathology studies – A biopsy (removal and study of a small tissue sample) confirms the
diagnosis. Results are then summarized in a pathology report with details about the tumour type, size, grade, and spread. Cytology reports summarize results from an examination of cells in body fluids.