The Stages of Oral Cancer
Oral cancer is categorized using the TNM staging system. This system assesses three key factors:
T: The size and location of the tumor,
N: Whether the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes, and
M: Whether there is metastasis to distant parts of the body.
Stages range from 0 to IV, indicating the progression of the disease.
Stage 0: Carcinoma in Situ – At this initial stage, abnormal cells are present but have not spread to deeper tissues.
Stage I: Early Stage Cancer – The tumor is small (not more than 2 centimeters) and has not spread deeply or reached any lymph nodes.
Stage II: Larger Tumor Size – The tumor has grown (between 2 and 4 centimeters) but still hasn’t spread to any lymph nodes.
Stage III: Larger Tumors or Spread to One Lymph Node – The cancer is either larger than 4 centimeters, or it has spread to one nearby lymph node but not to distant parts of the body.
Stage IV: Advanced Cancer with Extensive Spread – The most advanced stage, where the cancer may be of any size and has spread extensively, possibly involving more lymph nodes or distant organs like the lungs or liver
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