Stages and Grades of Uterine Cancer
Stage refers to the size and spread of the cancer. Your doctor uses any or all of these things to determine the stage of the cancer.
The stage is based on factors such as these.
If the tumor stays where it started, it’s called in situ or noninvasive. Cancer cells can break away from the main tumor and start growing in other parts of the body. If it spreads from where it started, it’s called invasive or infiltrating.
The process of cancer spreading is called metastasis. Although the cancer has spread to another part of the body, it’s not considered a new cancer. For instance, uterine cancer might spread to the lungs. That is not considered lung cancer. It’s called metastatic uterine cancer.
Uterine cancer that has not spread is called early-stage uterine cancer. Uterine cancer that has spread to other parts of the body is often called advanced-stage uterine cancer.
Grade describes what the cancer cells look like. The grade is used to find out how fast the cells may grow or spread. Your doctor uses the biopsy and samples of your uterus if it is removed to find the grade of cancer.
Online Medical Reviewer:
Daphne Pierce-Smith, RN, MSN, FNP, CCRC
Online Medical Reviewer:
Giuntoli, Robert MD
Online Medical Reviewer:
Moore-Higgs, Giselle ARNP, MSN, AOCN
Online Medical Reviewer:
Stump-Sutliff, Kim RN, MSN, AOCNS
Last Annual Review Date:
11/3/2009