Abdominal Cancer – Types & Stages

Cancer Treatment in Glendale, AZ

Fighting cancer is one of the most difficult challenges anyone can face in life, and if you or a loved one have recently been diagnosed, we know how scary of an experience this must be – but we’re here to help. As a leading cancer treatment provider in the Phoenix, AZ area, we at Palo Verde Cancer Specialists have the knowledge and experience to tackle any form of cancer, and our treatment team is committed to the health and long-term success of our patients. We proudly treat a wide variety of cancerous conditions, including all forms of abdominal cancer.

Types of Abdominal Cancer

Unlike many other conditions, abdominal cancer doesn’t actually refer to one, specific cancerous condition – instead, it’s a blanket term that applies to any cancer originating in the organs or tissues of the abdominal cavity. Accordingly, abdominal cancer may refer to any one of the following specific conditions:

• Colorectal Cancer
• Stomach (Gastric) Cancer
• Liver Cancer
• Pancreatic Cancer
• Kidney (Renal Cell) Cancer
• Adrenocortical Cancer (cancer affecting the adrenal glands)
• Primary Peritoneal Cancer (cancer of the peritoneum, the thin lining of the abdomen)
• Peritoneal Mesothelioma (cancer of the peritoneum specifically caused by asbestos exposure)

Stages of Abdominal Cancer

Again, because abdominal cancer may actually refer to several specific cancerous conditions, the stages and prognosis for any individual cancer case will depend on the specific condition and factors in the case. That said, most abdominal cancers use the same method for staging. The stage describes the severity of the cancer – the higher the stage, the more severe the cancer.

Most cancers, including most abdominal cancers, are staged using a TNM method: T describing the size of the tumor, N describing whether or not the tumor has spread to the lymph nodes, and M describing whether or not the cancer has metastasized (spread) to other locations in the body. Generally, the larger the tumor, the more lymph nodes affected, and the more metastatic the cancer, the higher the stage. The stage of cancer will have an effect on both the prognosis of the patient and the treatment options available.

Schedule a Consultation With Your Scottsdale, AZ Radiation Oncology Center

Cancer at any stage is a serious condition, and we know how scary fighting it can be – but we’re here to help. We’ve treated countless patients for a wide variety of conditions at our six Phoenix cancer centers, and our cancer treatment team is experienced enough to take on cancer of any stage. No matter what your condition or what you’re up against, we are committed to your long-term health and recovery. Schedule a consultation appointment with Palo Verde Cancer Specialists today. We’ll help you beat cancer and get back to living the life you love.