The stage of a cancer is a term used to describe its size and whether it has spread beyond its original site. Knowing the particular type and the stage of the cancer helps the doctors to decide on the most appropriate treatment.
Most patients are grouped depending on whether the cancer is found in only one part of the body (localised disease) or whether the cancer has spread from one part of the body to another (metastatic disease). The place in the body where the rhabdomyosarcoma started is also important information that is taken into account in the staging system.
A simplified staging system for rhabdomyosarcoma is as follows:
- Stage 1. The tumour has developed in the head and neck area, the urinary system (but not in the bladder) or the area around the eye (orbit). The tumour can be of any size and may have spread into the structures close to it. Nearby lymph nodes may also be affected but the cancer has not spread to other parts of the body.
- Stage 2. The tumour has developed in either the bladder, prostate, one of the coverings of the brain (meninges) or the arms or legs. The tumour is 5cm or smaller in size and has not spread into nearby structures. The lymph nodes are not affected and the cancer has not spread to other parts of the body.
- Stage 3. The tumour has developed in either the bladder, prostate, one of the coverings of the brain (meninges) or the arms or legs. The tumour can be of any size and has not spread into nearby structures, but nearby lymph nodes are affected. Or the tumour can be of any size and has spread into nearby structures and the lymph nodes may be affected.
- Stage 4. The tumour has spread to other parts of the body, such as the lungs.
If the cancer comes back after initial treatment it is known as recurrent cancer.
