AJCC Cancer Staging Manual
October 1, 2010
Merkelcell.org Summary
On January 1, 2010, the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) adopted a new staging system for MCC. Dr. Nghiem led the MCC taskforce of the AJCC in this analysis and wrote the chapter with Dr. Bianca Lemos. The chapter is available here for download or accessible online via the link below.
Abstract
The AJCC Cancer Staging Manual and Handbook, prepared by the American Joint Committee on Cancer, are used by physicians and health care professionals throughout the world to facilitate the uniform description and reporting of neoplastic diseases. Proper classification and staging is essential for the physician to assign proper treatment, evaluate results of management and clinical trials, and to serve as the standard for local, regional and international reporting on cancer incidence and outcome.
The Seventh Edition of the AJCC Cancer Staging Manual brings together all the currently available information on staging of cancer at various anatomic sites and incorporates newly acquired knowledge on the etiology and pathology of cancer. As knowledge of cancer biology expands, cancer staging must incorporate these advances. The current revision provides evidence-based staging based upon the established tenets of TNM classification supplemented by selected molecular markers. Relevant markers supported by evidence and of sufficient impact for treatment decisions have been included to define stage, for example Gleason’s Score and PSA in prostate cancer.
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