The Philosophy of Staging in Lung Cancer:  Prognosis or Treatment Planning?

Yusuf Kahya; Ayten  Kayı Cangır

doi:10.5152/EurJTher.2018.1001

Authors

Yusuf Kahya Department of Thoracic Surgery, Ankara University School of Medicine İbni Sina Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
Ayten Kayı Cangır Department of Thoracic Surgery, Ankara University School of Medicine İbni Sina Hospital, Ankara, Turkey

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5152/EurJTher.2018.1001

Keywords:

Lung cancer, staging, philosophy

Abstract

Tumor staging is one of the cornerstones of oncology. The purpose of staging is to provide a universal terminology regarding the anatomical extent of cancer without causing incomprehensibility. This allows for reliable communication between clinicians without room for doubt, a common language in clinical studies, and the evaluation of the results of planned treatment strategies. Although it is critical to represent staging with a terminology that is used consistently and coherently, periodic revisions are also necessary. The terminology is also improved in parallel with the obtainment of new data regarding the definition of the anatomical extent of tumors with developments in technology. Although the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) and the International Union for Cancer Control (UICC) are institutions that define and periodically review the classification systems and work together in order to ensure the universal consistency of staging, staging in thorax malignancies has been regulated under the lead of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) for the last two decades. The aim of this review is to summarize and discuss the philosophy of staging in lung cancer.

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