The Stages of Oral Cancer
Oral cancer is categorized using the TNM staging system. This system assesses three key factors:
T: The size and location of the tumor,
N: Whether the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes, and
M: Whether there is metastasis to distant parts of the body.
Stages range from 0 to IV, indicating the progression of the disease.
Stage 0: Carcinoma in Situ – At this initial stage, abnormal cells are present but have not spread to deeper tissues.