Open AccessTumor‐Node‐Metastasis Staging of Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma
Author(s) -
Katz Matthew H. G.,
Hwang Rosa,
Fleming Jason B.,
Evans Douglas B.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
ca: a cancer journal for clinicians
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 62.937
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1542-4863
pISSN - 0007-9235
DOI - 10.3322/ca.2007.0012
Subject(s) - pancreatic cancer , medicine , stage (stratigraphy) , staging system , metastasis , adenocarcinoma , distant metastasis , cancer , cancer staging , oncology , disease , commission , general surgery , radiology , paleontology , biology , finance , economics
Accurate disease staging of patients with pancreatic cancer is essential to divide patients into prognostic subgroups, to allow delivery of stage‐specific therapies, and to facilitate meaningful discussions between physicians and patients regarding management and expected outcomes. The tumor‐node‐metastasis staging system of the American Joint Commission on Cancer has undergone significant revisions over the past 2 decades. In its current form, the system places an emphasis on preoperative clinical staging and facilitates division of patients with pancreatic cancer into 4 groups based on a determination of local resectability and the presence or absence of distant disease as determined on high‐quality cross‐sectional imaging. A modern understanding of local tumor factors that influence technical resectability is incorporated into the algorithm. In this review, we examine the American Joint Commission on Cancer staging system, describe the rationale for its use, and demonstrate how it is a clinically relevant tool for the staging and management of patients with pancreatic cancer.