Staging is the process of determining how much cancer is within the body (tumor size) and if it has spread. Learn about the TNM Staging system and other ways that stage is described.
The TNM staging system for all solid tumors was devised by Pierre Denoix of the Institut Gustave Roussy between 1943 and 1952, using the size and extension of the primary tumor, its lymphatic involvement, and the presence of metastases to classify the progression of cancer.
The TNM classification system was developed as a tool for doctors to stage different types of cancer based on certain, standardized criteria. The TNM Staging System includes the extent of the tumor (T), extent of spread to the lymph nodes (N), and presence of metastasis (M).
The most common system for staging a cancer that is a solid tumor is the TNM system. Most providers and cancer centers use it to stage most cancers. The TNM system is based on: Numbers are added to each category that explains the size of the tumor and how much it has spread.