Cancers in the lung, colon and breast are staged based on their location in the body, size, lymph node involvement and possible spread. The possibility the cancer has spread beyond the brain or CNSĪ complete assessment will also factor in age and brain cancer symptoms that are limiting basic functions, such as speech, hearing or movement.īrain cancer grading is much different than staging other cancers in the body.The spread of the cancer within the brain or spinal cord.Resectability (the likelihood that part or all of the tumor can be removed by surgery).The main factors used to assess brain tumors include: To determine the growth and development of tumors in the brain, doctors focus on the characteristics of the tumor and its effect on functionality. This process helps doctors match brain cancer treatments to individual needs. The brain tumor grading system features four distinct grades and provides your care team with an understanding of how the tumor grows. Tumors may migrate within the brain, but it is very rare for primary brain tumors to spread outside of the brain, or away from the central nervous system (CNS).Ĭonsequently, brain cancer is usually graded rather than staged.
Brain cancer does not behave in the same way as other cancers. The staging process assesses the spread of cancer beyond the original site.
