TED-Ed: How do doctors determine what stage of cancer you have? | Hyunsoo Joshua No and Trudy Wu

The video explains the complexity of cancer staging, focusing on the TNM system, which assesses tumor size, lymph node involvement, and metastasis. It highlights how TNM combinations determine overall cancer stages, which vary by cancer type. Recent advancements in treatment and genetic testing have refined staging, offering better outcomes and hope for patients.

What is the primary purpose of cancer staging?

• To determine the patient's age

• To calculate the treatment cost

• To understand the severity and spread of cancer

• To decide the patient's diet plan

In the TNM system, what does the 'T' represent?

• Tumor texture

• Tumor temperature

• Tumor type

• Tumor size

How is the 'N' in the TNM system determined?

• By the presence of cancer in lymph nodes

• By the number of tumors

• By the patient's nutrition level

• By the number of treatments received

What does the 'M' in the TNM system indicate?

• Mental health status

• Muscle involvement

• Metastasis or spread to other organs

• Metabolism rate

Why might a cancer stage change over time without the cancer itself changing?

• Due to changes in the patient's diet

• Because of advancements in the staging system

• As a result of the patient's age

• Due to changes in the weather

How can advancements in genetic testing affect cancer staging?

• By eliminating the need for staging

• By refining and potentially downgrading cancer stages

• By increasing the number of cancer types

• By making staging more expensive

What impact do breakthroughs in therapies have on cancer treatment?

• They improve remission rates and treatment outcomes

• They reduce the need for diagnosis

• They increase the number of side effects

• They make treatment more expensive