Frequently Asked Questions

Cancer staging is the process that doctors use to determine how cancer has developed in the body. It gives doctors the information they need to create your cancer treatment plan by helping them understand where the cancer is located and if, or where, it has spread.

There are different staging systems, and two of the main types used by doctors are the number staging system and the TNM staging system. 

Number staging system

• stage 0 – cancer stayed where it started, also called “in situ,” and has not spread to other parts of the body 
• stage I – this is early stage cancer; however, the cancer has not spread to other parts of the body 
• stage II – cancer has grown, possibly into nearby tissues, but hasn't spread to other parts of the body
• stage III – cancer is larger than stage II, and may have spread to nearby tissues and the lymph nodes 
• stage IV – cancer has spread in the body to at least one other organ, also called advanced or "metastatic" cancer

TNM staging system

• T – indicates the size of the tumor by using numbers 1 to 4 (1 for small)
• N – refers to the lymph nodes, with numbers 0 to 3 (0 means no lymph nodes have cancer)
• M – stands for metastases, or the spread of cancer throughout the body, with numbers 0 or 1 (0 means it has not spread)

As doctors continually advance their knowledge about cancer, their learnings help shape the staging systems for different types of cancer. If you’re not sure about the stage of your cancer or what it might mean for you, ask your doctor to explain it to you.

If you are interested in learning more about how cancer is treated, check out the following articles:

Being diagnosed with cancer can bring up many emotions and it may feel overwhelming. Below are some questions that may be helpful to ask your doctor to learn more about your diagnosis and cancer treatment plan. Try to bring a loved one to your appointment so they can help take notes on the responses your doctor gives you.

Questions about diagnosis

• What kind of cancer do I have?
• What further testing will be needed?
• What is the cancer stage and what does that mean for me?
• How do you determine the cancer stage?
• Has cancer spread to other parts of my body?
• Can biomarker testing be done for my type of cancer?
• Will I need to see a specialist for my type of cancer? If so, what specialists do I need to see?

Questions about cancer treatment

• What are my cancer treatment options?
• Should I get a second opinion on a cancer treatment plan?
• How is the recommended cancer treatment given? 
• How soon do I need to begin cancer treatment?
• How long will cancer treatment last?  
• Will I be able to work while on cancer treatment? 
• Should I bring someone to help support me during cancer treatment sessions?
• What are the goals of cancer treatment? 
• What are the possible side effects of this cancer treatment?
• What can I do to help ease the side effects of cancer treatment? 
• What side effects are considered serious that I should call you about?
• Is there any kind of specific diet I should follow while on cancer treatment? 
• What can I do if I cannot afford the recommended cancer treatment?

Read the “How to Manage Your Cancer Care” article to learn more about communicating with your healthcare team, managing medications and more.

As part of your cancer treatment plan, you may need to see different specialists depending on the type of cancer you have and the cancer symptoms you may experience. A specialist is a type of doctor who specializes in one or a few parts of the body. They may have helped diagnose your cancer. 

You may see a surgeon if the removal of cancerous cells, tissues, or tumors is needed. Radiologists are specialized doctors who read and interpret imaging tests like X-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans, and MRIs. An oncology nurse practitioner (also known as an NP) or oncology physician assistant (also known as a PA) can diagnose and treat people who have cancer, and may see you with your doctor or independently. For any mental health challenges, you may see a psychiatrist/psychologist to help you cope, understand, and manage your feelings, thoughts and concerns. Psychiatrists are doctors that can prescribe medication for your mental health. Additionally, a registered dietitian can help you learn what to eat during your cancer treatment and recovery. This list may not include all the specialists you may see, but it can give you a sense of what healthcare professionals may be a part of your healthcare team. 

Talk to your doctor to learn more about how your cancer treatment plan is developed or how to best manage your cancer care. Also, check out the following articles: 

It is important that you stay as healthy as possible before starting cancer treatment. You will not yet know what kind of side effects you will experience, so it is best to try and keep physically active and eat a balanced diet before starting cancer treatment. Try to look at this as a time to focus on yourself and your needs. 

Other ways you can prepare for cancer treatment include talking to your healthcare team about any questions, concerns, or possible side effects so you can know what to expect. Create a plan with them on when you should call and what things you can do to cope with side effects. You can also clear your schedule after cancer treatment so you have proper time to rest. It is important to eat well, so try to prepare meals ahead of time and keep your kitchen stocked with food you can eat that will be easy on your digestive system. 

Read the “Nutrition and Cancer” article for more tips on eating well during cancer treatment. 

Talk to your doctor to learn more about how your cancer treatment plan is developed or how to best manage your cancer care. Also, check out the following articles: 

If you are interested in joining a clinical trial, you can start by talking about it with your doctor. They can help you determine whether a clinical trial is a good option for you and answer any questions you may have. There are many cancer clinical trials that are sponsored by various organizations, you can start your research by looking at some of the resources listed below:

National Cancer Institute (NCI)
NCI provides an online search tool for cancer clinical trials. You can also ask for help by calling 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237).

Center for Information and Study on Clinical Research Participation (CISCRP)
CISCRP also provides a clinical study search tool. You can also get help by calling 1-877-MED-HERO (1-877-633-4376).

National Institutes of Health (NIH)
NIH has a large database of clinical trials, but not all the studies listed are cancer clinical trials.

Cancer.Net
Cancer.Net is an advocacy group that can help you find a clinical trial.

To get more information about clinical trials, check out the following articles: 

Biomarker testing is a type of testing that helps doctors learn more about cancer in the body. A biomarker is a gene, protein, or other substance in the body that can be tested. Each individual has their own pattern of biomarkers that is unique to them. Information about biomarkers can help doctors understand how certain cancer treatments may work and how likely it is that the cancer will spread. Biomarker testing has different names and is also known as: 

• Genetic testing 
• Molecular testing 

Talk to your doctor to learn about genetic testing for cancer and what causes cancer. Also, check out the following articles: 

A cancer diagnosis and subsequent cancer treatment will bring up many difficult emotions for your loved one. You can start supporting them by being there for them, letting them know you care for them, and finding out how best to communicate with them at this time. Your kindness and concern for them, even if it is not able to be acknowledged, will be meaningful for them as they get through this very challenging time. You can also offer to visit, run errands for them, help support their caregiver, or give them comforting gifts. Even the smallest touch of empathic kindness will go a long way.

Read the “Dealing With the Emotions of Cancer” article to learn more about the emotional journey of cancer and cancer treatment. 

Talking about your diagnosis can be a very hard conversation for you and your loved ones. Before starting the conversation with family and friends, think about how much information you would like to share and with whom. There may be people you do not tell about your cancer at all or there may be people who you want to count on for support in sharing what you are going through and how you feel. Start by creating a list of people you may want to tell first, these people are likely your biggest sources of support and care during this time. Decide what information you want to share with them like what kind of cancer you have, what kind of cancer treatment you may need, and what your prognosis is. For more information and details on talking about your cancer diagnosis, read the “How to Tell People You Have Cancer” article. 

When considering telling people you work with about your cancer diagnosis, think about how much they need to know. You may need to disclose that you are going through a medical issue to your supervisor or your company's Human Resources department if you need to take time off or ask for a reduced workload. 

How and when you tell co-workers is up to you. You may not want to tell anyone at all, or you could tell some of your colleagues in a group through email or a brief statement in a meeting. That way, everyone has a basic understanding of what is going on with you and perhaps they can even support you at work while you go through cancer treatment. There is no right way to do this, it will depend on how you feel and what kind of environment you work in. For more information and details on talking about your cancer diagnosis, read the “How to Tell People You Have Cancer” article.