Brystkreftstaging

Brystkreftstaging refers to the process of determining the extent of breast cancer within the body, which helps in planning appropriate treatment. It is typically performed after a diagnosis of breast cancer and involves a combination of imaging tests, biopsies, and physical examinations. The staging system used for breast cancer is the TNM system, which stands for Tumor, Node, and Metastasis.

The Tumor (T) category describes the size and extent of the primary tumor. It is categorized into stages T0 to T4, with T0 indicating no evidence of tumor and T4 indicating a tumor larger than 5 centimeters or involving the chest wall.

The Node (N) category describes the involvement of lymph nodes. It is categorized into stages N0 to N3, with N0 indicating no lymph node involvement and N3 indicating involvement of multiple axillary lymph nodes.

The Metastasis (M) category describes the presence of distant metastases. It is categorized into stages M0 and M1, with M0 indicating no distant metastases and M1 indicating the presence of distant metastases.

The TNM stages are then combined to create an overall stage for the cancer, ranging from Stage 0 to Stage IV. Stage 0 indicates a non-invasive tumor, while Stage IV indicates the presence of distant metastases. The staging information is crucial for determining the prognosis and guiding treatment decisions.