What are the four stages of cancer?

What are the four stages of cancer?

Most cancers have four stages. The specific stage is determined by a few different factors, including the size and location of the tumor:

• Stage I: Cancer is localized to a small area and hasn’t spread to lymph nodes or other tissues.
• Stage II: Cancer has grown, but it hasn’t spread.
• Stage III: Cancer has grown larger and has possibly spread to lymph nodes or other tissues.
• Stage IV: Cancer has spread to other organs or areas of your body. This stage is also referred to as metastatic or advanced cancer.

Though stages I through IV are the most common, there is also stage zero. This earliest phase describes cancer that is still localized to the area in which it started. Cancers that are still in stage zero are usually easily treatable and are considered pre-cancerous by most healthcare providers.