title: Introduction to the imaging and staging of cancer.
abstract: Cancer staging is how clinicians describe the state of the disease, predict prognosis, help determine best treatment, and interpret outcomes. Although several staging systems are available, the most widely used is the tumor node metastasis (TNM) system developed by the American Joint Committee on Cancer. Knowledge of normal anatomy and the myriad appearances of variations in anatomy is the basis of accurate tumor staging. Cross-sectional imaging is complementary to the clinical examination for accurate staging.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA. phudgin@emory.edu
authors.forename: Patricia A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Hudgins
authors.forename: Jonathan J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Beitler
mesh_terms: D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology