Staging


Staging is a process utilized by the multidisciplinary team of experts...

to determine the size, location of the cancer, and extent of the cancer.  Some of the methods/tests used to make this determination are:  clinical breast exams, biopsy, imaging procedures: mammography, chest x-ray, MRI, PET, bone scans.

UVa Imaging has state-of-the-art equipment as well as board certified physicians and staff certified in specialized imaging modalities. Cancers are staged utilizing the American joint Committee on Cancer TNM classification system:

  • (T) tumor size
  • (N) palpable lymph nodes
  • (M) metastasis.

The UVa breast team discusses staging at the weekly multidisciplinary tumor conference to ensure the best treatment option is determined.