The Stages of Cancer

Cancer is a disease caused by an uncontrolled division of abnormal cells in a part of the body. In order to classify how severe the cancer is, doctors use a system of four stages. Each stage is slightly more serious than the one before it, and therefore more difficult to treat.




Stage 1: There is a small tumor (less than two centimeters) which has not spread. It can usually be completely removed through surgery or radiation.
Stage 2: The tumor has increased in size (two to five centimeters), but still has not spread. It can still be treated through surgery and radiation.
Stage 3: The tumor has spread to the lymph nodes. It is much more difficult to cure. The tumor can be removed through surgery and the patient will most likely undergo chemotherapy to remove the cancer that has spread.
Stage 4: Also known as metastatic cancer, it is the most challenging to treat. The cancer has now spread from the origin organ to the lymph nodes and other organs. Surgery will not cure it; heavy doses of chemotherapy and other drugs are needed. 

Works Cited

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