What to Expect at Your First Mammogram
A patient’s first mammogram can be an anxiety- and stress-inducing event. However, you can alleviate these feelings by becoming educated and knowledgeable about the screening
Bladder cancer staging enables physicians to classify the extent of the disease’s progress, allowing them to develop a more effective treatment plan for each patient. At Regional Cancer Care Associates, we diagnose and treat patients with all stages of bladder cancer. Our care providers in Connecticut, Maryland, and New Jersey use staging systems to pinpoint the progression of our patients’ conditions and help them achieve a better standard of living.
Bladder cancer staging enables physicians to classify the extent of the disease’s progress, allowing them to develop a more effective treatment plan for each patient. At Regional Cancer Care Associates, we diagnose and treat patients with all stages of bladder cancer. Our care providers in Connecticut, Maryland, and New Jersey use staging systems to pinpoint the progression of our patients’ conditions and help them achieve a better standard of living.
The TNM system – which stands for tumor (T), lymph node (N), and metastasis (M) – is one of the most common and effective tools used by physicians to classify cancers. Here’s how it works:
Oncologists first examine the tumor itself, evaluating for size and location. Oncologists use the letter T and the numbers 0 through 4 to efficiently describe both characteristics, as described here:
The second area for examination is the lymph nodes – the small, bean-shaped organs that fight infection. This classification is based on the number of nodes that have been affected:
Finally, the oncologist will determine whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. This stage of evaluation uses the following identifiers:
After completing the necessary testing required by the TNM classification system, a patient’s kidney cancer will be assigned one of the following labels:
Stage 0: The cancer is found only on the inner lining, and cancer cells are grouped together and can easily be removed. The cancer may or may not be aggressive.
Stage I: The cancer has spread into the connective tissue, but not into lymph nodes or other organs.
Stage II: The cancer has spread into the muscle wall of the bladder, but not into the fatty tissue, lymph nodes, or other organs.
Stage III: The cancer has spread into the fatty tissue and lymph nodes, prostate, uterus, or vagina.
Stage IV: The cancer has spread into the pelvic wall, abdominal wall, or other parts of the body.
By classifying the stage of a patient’s cancer, health care providers are better equipped to form an appropriate treatment plan. If you or your loved one suspect symptoms of bladder cancer, one of our expert oncologists at Regional Cancer Care Associates can evaluate your symptoms, provide a diagnosis, and offer treatment. Schedule an appointment or learn more about bladder cancer stages by contacting us today.
A patient’s first mammogram can be an anxiety- and stress-inducing event. However, you can alleviate these feelings by becoming educated and knowledgeable about the screening
Recent FDA actions have significantly expanded treatment options for women with advanced uterine cancer, according to two oncologists with Regional Cancer Care Associates (RCCA), one
The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 153,000 cases of colorectal cancer (CRC) will be diagnosed
Regional Cancer Care Associates is one of fewer than 200 medical practices in the country selected to participate in the Oncology Care Model (OCM); a recent Medicare initiative aimed at improving care coordination and access to and quality of care for Medicare beneficiaries undergoing chemotherapy treatment.