Dukesklasszifikáció

The Dukes klasszifikáció, also known as the Dukes classification, is a staging system used in medicine to describe the extent of colon cancer. It was developed by Dr. Clement Dukes in 1932. The classification categorizes the cancer based on how deeply it has grown into the colon wall and whether it has spread to nearby lymph nodes or distant organs.

Initially, the Dukes classification had three stages. Stage A indicated cancer confined to the colon wall. Stage B involved cancer that had penetrated through the colon wall but had not spread to lymph nodes. Stage C signified cancer that had spread to nearby lymph nodes. Over time, the classification has been refined and modified.

The modified Dukes classification, often referred to as the Astler-Coller modification, further subdivides these stages. Stage A remains cancer confined to the mucosa. Stage B is divided into B1 (cancer invading the muscularis propria) and B2 (cancer extending beyond the muscularis propria but without lymph node involvement). Stage C is divided into C1 (lymph node involvement with cancer limited to the colon wall) and C2 (lymph node involvement with cancer extending beyond the colon wall).

More recently, the TNM staging system (Tumor, Node, Metastasis) has become the standard for staging colorectal cancer. However, the Dukes classification, particularly its modified versions, is still sometimes used, especially in older literature or in certain clinical contexts. Understanding the Dukes classification provides insight into the historical development of cancer staging and its initial impact on treatment decisions.