Staging
Staging is a process that tells a doctor if the cancer has spread and if it has, how far. Staging for pharyngeal cancer depends on the location and extent of the tumor, and whether it has invaded any lymph nodes or nearby structures. Staging is an important step in evaluating prognosis and treatment options.
Staging of Oropharyngeal Cancer for tumors with the p16 marker (HPV-related)
Stage 0
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Description
- Cancer of unknown primary is staged at a “tumor stage” of 0. This is when HPV related cancer from the oropharynx spreads to the lymph nodes. However, overall the stage which the patient is assigned is related to the extent of lymph nodes and as such, “Stage 0” is not a realistic scenario. The situation of “carcinoma in-situ”, defined as abnormal but non-invasive cells found in top layer of tissue, is not an accepted entity as compared with the other regions of the head and neck such as the hypopharynx.
Staging of Oropharyngeal Cancer for tumors without the p16 marker (Non-HPV-related)
Stage 0
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Description
- “Carcinoma in-situ.” Abnormal, but non-invasive cells found in top layer of tissue, generally considered "pre-cancerous".
