Types and Stages of Cancer

Subject: Medical and Surgical Nursing I (Theory)

Overview

There are two types of cancer: malignant and benign. The characteristics of benign cancer are slow growth, encapsulation, non-invasiveness, lack of metastasis, the ability to generate localized symptoms, etc. Additionally, malignant cancer has unchecked growth, is invasive and expansive, secretes aberrant proteins, and has a variety of other negative effects. The T-N-M staging approach for cancer is T Tumor, N Node, M Metastasis. The presence of a stage I tumor shows that no other tissues have been invaded. Stage II indicates local metastasis and a gradual increase in tumor size. Regional LN metastases in stage III.

Types of Cancer

  • Benign
  • Malignant

Characteristics of benign tumors:

  • A good differentiation
  • Modest growth
  • Encapsulated
  • A non-intrusive
  • Not a metastasis
  • Cause regional phenomena
  • Does not usually cause death unless it interferes with some key processes.

Characteristics of malignant tumors:

  • Undifferentiated
  • Uncontrolled expansion
  • Intrusive and wide-ranging
  • Aberrant protein secreted has a systemic impact.
  • May result in mortality if expansion is unchecked.

Reason for successful metastasis

  • Enzymes are released by cancer cells to leave lymphatic and blood arteries.
  • Cancer cells receive sustenance at a secondary site.
  • Secondary locations have a sufficient blood supply.

Pathophysiology of malignant process

  • Exposure to carcinogens.
  • Genetic mutation of the cellular DNA.
  • An abnormal cell is transformed.
  • This abnormal cell from a clone and begins to proliferate abnormally.
  • The cells acquire invasive characteristics.
  • The cells infiltrate tissue and gain access to lymph and blood vessels, which carry the cells to other areas of the body. This phenomenon is called Metastasis.

Cancer Staging

Uses the T-N-M staging system:

  • T- Tumor
  • N- Node
  • M- Metastasis

Classification

Staging

Tissue Involvement

1. Primary tumor ( T ) Tis

Stage I

Tumor is in situ, indicate no invasion of other tissues.

2. T1, T2, T3, T4

Stage II

Indicate progressive increase in tumor size with local metastasis.

3. Regional LN involvement

NO, N1,N2, N3

Stage III

Metastasis to regional LN

Metastasis

M0, M1

No metastasis stage IV

Distant metastasis

 

References

  • cancer.net › Navigating Cancer Care › Diagnosing Cancer
  • cancerresearchuk.org › About cancer › What is cancer?
  • cancerguide.org/basic.html
    Mandal, G. (August 2013). A Textbook of Adult Health Nursing (2nd ed.). Dilllibazar kathmandu: Makalu publication house. Retrieved August 2013
     
Things to remember
  • Cancer are of two types malignant and benign. 
  • Cancer is of three stages I II III. 
  • cancer cells release enzymes to escape from the lymphatic and blood vessels.
  • Malignant tumor may cause death if growth is not controlled.
  • Benign tumor does not cause death unless it disturbs some vital functions.
Questions and Answers

Types of Cancer

  • Benign.
  • Malignant.

Characteristics of BENIGN Tumors

  • Well differentiate.
  • Slow growth.
  • Encapsulated.
  • Non -invasive.
  • Does not metastasize.
  • Cause localized phenomena.
  • Does not cause death unless it disturbs some vital functions.

Characteristics of Malignant Tumors

  • Undifferentiated.
  • Uncontrolled growth.
  • Expansive and invasive.
  • Secretes abnormal protein.
  • Cause systematic effect.
  • May cause death if growth is not controlled.

Cancer Staging

 

Classification

Staging

Tissue Involvement

1. Primary tumor ( T ) Tis

Stage I

Tumor is in situ, indicate no invasion of other tissues.

2. T1, T2, T3, T4

Stage II

Indicate progressive increase in tumor size with local metastasis.

3. Regional LN involvement

NO, N1,N2, N3

Stage III

Metastasis to regional LN

Metastasis

M0, M1

No metastasis stage IV

Distant metastasis

Cancer staging

 

Classification

Staging

Tissue Involvement

1. Primary tumor ( T ) Tis

Stage I

Tumor is in situ, indicate no invasion of other tissues.

2. T1, T2, T3, T4

Stage II

Indicate progressive increase in tumor size with local metastasis.

3. Regional LN involvement

NO, N1,N2, N3

Stage III

Metastasis to regional LN

Metastasis

M0, M1

No metastasis stage IV

Distant metastasis

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