History and international developments in cancer staging.
OBJECTIVE
To inform the reader of the objectives of staging classification, and review history of the development of modern staging classifications in cancer.


METHODS
Review of the literature documenting the development of modern cancer staging systems with the emphasis on the history of the development of the TNM classification by the UICC and the history of the Canadian Committee on Cancer Staging. The underlying principles of the TNM system have been reviewed in the context of modern cancer practice.


CONCLUSIONS
In the era of the multidisciplinary approach to cancer management, staging allows precision in documenting disease extent, thereby enhancing the quality of patient care. The recording of cancer stage at diagnosis is necessary to optimise patient care and provides a valuable means for recording patterns of disease presentation and monitoring advances in diagnosis and therapy. The objectives of staging described in the TNM staging system are as valid today as when implemented almost 50 years ago.
Gospodarowicz
M
M
Dept. of Radiation Oncology, Princess Margaret Hospital and University of Toronto, Ontario. marykg@pmh.toronto.on.ca
Benedet
L
L
Hutter
R V
RV
Fleming
I
I
Henson
D E
DE
Sobin
L H
LH
D000047:Academies and Institutes; D002170:Canada; D003226:Congresses as Topic; D005260:Female; D005582:Foundations / Q000266:history; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000473:pathology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging / Q000145:classification / Q000266:history* / Q000379:methods; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012008:Recurrence; D012042:Registries; D012106:Research