Staging of skin
cancers
The stage
of a cancer is a term used to describe its size and whether it has spread
beyond its original site.
Knowing
the extent of the cancer helps the doctors to decide on the most appropriate
treatment. Most people with basal cell cancers do not need to have tests to
find the stage of the cancer, as it is very rare for them to spread beyond the
initial area of skin. Tests will only be done if the cancer is very large.
Although
it is rare for squamous cell cancers to spread, tests to find the stage may be
done because in some people they may spread.
A commonly used
staging system is outlined below:
Stage 0 is also called carcinoma in situ.
Carcinoma in situ means that cancer cells are present, but they are all
contained in a small area in the top layer of skin (the epidermis). They have
not started to spread or grow into deeper layers of skin. Squamous cell stage 0
is also called Bowen's disease. If it is not treated, it can develop into a
squamous cell skin cancer.
Stage 1 The cancer is less than 2cm across
and has not spread
Stage 2 The cancer is more than 2cm across
and has not spread
Stage 3 The cancer has spread into the
tissues under the skin and possibly to nearby lymph nodes
Stage 4 The cancer has spread to another
part of the body. This very rarely occurs with either squamous or basal cell
cancers of the skin.
TNM staging
system
Another
staging system known as the TNM system is commonly used. This can give more
precise information about the extent of the cancer.
T describes the size of the tumour.
N describes whether the cancer has spread
to the lymph nodes.
M describes whether the cancer has spread
to another part of the body (secondary or metastatic cancer).
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