Neoplasia
Neoplasia ( 5 Questions)
A nurse is teaching a client who has colon cancer about the staging system used to assess the extent of the tumor. The nurse explains that the most commonly used staging system is based on what criteria? (Select all that apply.)
The size and number of primary tumors are important criteria for staging cancer, as they indicate the local growth and expansion of the tumor within its site of origin. The larger and more numerous the tumors are, the higher the stage of cancer is.
The presence or absence of regional lymph node involvement is another important criterion for staging cancer, as it indicates the spread of the tumor to the nearby lymphatic system. The more lymph nodes are affected, the higher the stage of cancer is.
The presence or absence of distant metastases is the most important criterion for staging cancer, as it indicates the spread of the tumor to other parts of the body via blood or lymph. The presence of any distant metastasis usually indicates the highest stage of cancer.
The degree of cellular differentiation and resemblance to normal tissue is a criterion for grading cancer, not staging cancer. Grading cancer assesses the severity and aggressiveness of the tumor based on its histologic appearance and behavior.
The level of tumor markers in the blood or other body fluids is a criterion for monitoring cancer, not staging cancer. Tumor markers are substances produced by tumor cells or by the body in response to tumor cells that can be detected in laboratory tests. They can help diagnose, prognose, or evaluate the response to treatment of cancer.
Choice A reason:
The size and number of primary tumors are important criteria for staging cancer, as they indicate the local growth and expansion of the tumor within its site of origin. The larger and more numerous the tumors are, the higher the stage of cancer is.
Choice B reason:
The presence or absence of regional lymph node involvement is another important criterion for staging cancer, as it indicates the spread of the tumor to the nearby lymphatic system. The more lymph nodes are affected, the higher the stage of cancer is.
Choice C reason:
The presence or absence of distant metastases is the most important criterion for staging cancer, as it indicates the spread of the tumor to other parts of the body via blood or lymph. The presence of any distant metastasis usually indicates the highest stage of cancer.
Choice D reason:
The degree of cellular differentiation and resemblance to normal tissue is a criterion for grading cancer, not staging cancer. Grading cancer assesses the severity and aggressiveness of the tumor based on its histologic appearance and behavior.
Choice E reason:
The level of tumor markers in the blood or other body fluids is a criterion for monitoring cancer, not staging cancer. Tumor markers are substances produced by tumor cells or by the body in response to tumor cells that can be detected in laboratory tests. They can help diagnose, prognose, or evaluate the response to treatment of cancer.