OnCo

Staging and risk scores

15 staging systems and 8 prognostic scores across 21 cancers: the groupings quoted at every tumour board, each with its source and a link to the matching standard of care. Scores are interactive: tick the factors and read the published outcome for the group. Nothing you enter leaves the page.

Breast cancer TNM, 8th edition: anatomic stage groups

AJCC Cancer Staging Manual, 8th edition (2017)

The 8th edition also defines prognostic stage groups that move tumours up or down by grade, ER, PR and HER2 status and, for T1-2 N0 HR-positive HER2-negative disease, a low-risk genomic assay result. Anatomic stage is shown here.

StageDefinition
0Tis (DCIS).
IA / IBT1 (2 cm or smaller) N0 / T0-1 N1mi (micrometastases 0.2-2 mm).
IIA / IIBT0-1 N1 or T2 (2-5 cm) N0 / T2 N1 or T3 (over 5 cm) N0.
IIIA / IIIB / IIICT0-2 N2 or T3 N1-2 / T4 (chest wall, skin, inflammatory) N0-2 / any T N3 (10 or more axillary nodes, infraclavicular, internal mammary plus axillary, supraclavicular).
IVM1: distant metastases.

Breast cancer TNM, 8th edition: anatomic stage groups

AJCC Cancer Staging Manual, 8th edition (2017)

The 8th edition also defines prognostic stage groups that move tumours up or down by grade, ER, PR and HER2 status and, for T1-2 N0 HR-positive HER2-negative disease, a low-risk genomic assay result. Anatomic stage is shown here.

StageDefinition
0Tis (DCIS).
IA / IBT1 (2 cm or smaller) N0 / T0-1 N1mi (micrometastases 0.2-2 mm).
IIA / IIBT0-1 N1 or T2 (2-5 cm) N0 / T2 N1 or T3 (over 5 cm) N0.
IIIA / IIIB / IIICT0-2 N2 or T3 N1-2 / T4 (chest wall, skin, inflammatory) N0-2 / any T N3 (10 or more axillary nodes, infraclavicular, internal mammary plus axillary, supraclavicular).
IVM1: distant metastases.

Breast cancer TNM, 8th edition: anatomic stage groups

AJCC Cancer Staging Manual, 8th edition (2017)

The 8th edition also defines prognostic stage groups that move tumours up or down by grade, ER, PR and HER2 status and, for T1-2 N0 HR-positive HER2-negative disease, a low-risk genomic assay result. Anatomic stage is shown here.

StageDefinition
0Tis (DCIS).
IA / IBT1 (2 cm or smaller) N0 / T0-1 N1mi (micrometastases 0.2-2 mm).
IIA / IIBT0-1 N1 or T2 (2-5 cm) N0 / T2 N1 or T3 (over 5 cm) N0.
IIIA / IIIB / IIICT0-2 N2 or T3 N1-2 / T4 (chest wall, skin, inflammatory) N0-2 / any T N3 (10 or more axillary nodes, infraclavicular, internal mammary plus axillary, supraclavicular).
IVM1: distant metastases.

WHO CNS5 (2021) classification of adult diffuse gliomas

Louis et al., Neuro-Oncology 2021

Diagnosis is molecular first: IDH and 1p/19q status define the tumour type; grade is then assigned within the type. IDH-wild-type diffuse astrocytoma with TERT promoter mutation, EGFR amplification or +7/−10 is glioblastoma regardless of histology.

StageDefinition
Astrocytoma, IDH-mutant, grade 2IDH1/2-mutant, 1p/19q intact, ATRX loss; low mitotic activity.
Astrocytoma, IDH-mutant, grade 3As above with anaplasia and mitotic activity.
Astrocytoma, IDH-mutant, grade 4As above with necrosis, microvascular proliferation or CDKN2A/B homozygous deletion.
Oligodendroglioma, IDH-mutant and 1p/19q-codeleted, grade 2-3Codeletion defines the type; grade 3 with anaplasia.
Glioblastoma, IDH-wild-type, grade 4IDH-wild-type with necrosis or microvascular proliferation, or TERT promoter mutation, EGFR amplification or +7/−10.

Colorectal cancer TNM, 8th edition: stage groups

AJCC Cancer Staging Manual, 8th edition (2017)
StageDefinition
0Tis: carcinoma in situ or intramucosal.
IT1-2 (submucosa or muscularis propria) N0.
IIA / IIB / IICT3 N0 (through muscularis) / T4a N0 (visceral peritoneum) / T4b N0 (adjacent organs).
IIIA / IIIB / IIICAny node-positive disease without metastasis: IIIA T1-2 N1 or T1 N2a; IIIB T3-4a N1, T2-3 N2a, T1-2 N2b; IIIC T4a N2a, T3-4a N2b, T4b N1-2.
IVA / IVB / IVCM1a one organ or site / M1b more than one / M1c peritoneal metastasis with or without organ involvement.

BCLC staging for hepatocellular carcinoma (2022 update)

Reig et al., J Hepatol 2022
StageDefinition
0 (very early)Single tumour 2 cm or smaller, preserved liver function, ECOG 0.
A (early)Single tumour, or up to 3 nodules each 3 cm or smaller, preserved liver function, ECOG 0.
B (intermediate)Multinodular, preserved liver function, ECOG 0; subclassified by transplant candidacy and tumour burden.
C (advanced)Portal invasion or extrahepatic spread, preserved liver function, ECOG 1-2.
D (terminal)End-stage liver function or ECOG 3-4: best supportive care.

Child-Pugh score

Score
5 / 15
Class A (5-6)
Class and what it means for treatment
Preserved function: eligible for resection, ablation, TACE and the systemic trials (IMbrave150, HIMALAYA enrolled Child-Pugh A only).
Class A (5-6) 5-6: Preserved function: eligible for resection, ablation, TACE and the systemic trials (IMbrave150, HIMALAYA enrolled Child-Pugh A only).Class B (7-9) 7-9: Decompensating: systemic therapy on a case-by-case basis; sorafenib and lenvatinib have B7 data; transplant if within criteria.Class C (10-15) 10-15: Decompensated: transplant assessment or best supportive care; anticancer therapy is usually harmful.(minimum score 5)

ALBI grade (albumin and bilirubin only) is a more objective alternative used in trials.

Source: Pugh et al., Br J Surg 1973. Outcomes are those of the published cohort and do not account for treatments since.

Non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer risk groups

EAU guidelines on non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer
StageDefinition
Low riskPrimary, solitary, Ta, low grade, under 3 cm, no CIS.
Intermediate riskTa low-grade tumours that are recurrent, multiple or 3 cm or larger, without high-risk features.
High riskT1, high grade, or CIS.
Very high riskCombinations such as T1 high grade with CIS, multiple large recurrent T1 high grade, variant histology or lymphovascular invasion; early cystectomy is discussed.

Localised prostate cancer: NCCN risk groups

NCCN Prostate Cancer
StageDefinition
Very lowcT1c, Grade Group 1, PSA under 10 ng/mL, fewer than 3 positive cores with 50% or less cancer in each, PSA density under 0.15.
LowcT1-T2a, Grade Group 1, PSA under 10.
Favourable intermediateOne intermediate factor (cT2b-c, Grade Group 2-3, or PSA 10-20), Grade Group 1-2, under 50% of cores positive.
Unfavourable intermediateTwo or more intermediate factors, or Grade Group 3, or 50% or more cores positive.
HighcT3a, or Grade Group 4-5, or PSA over 20.
Very highcT3b-T4, or primary Gleason pattern 5, or 2-3 high-risk features, or more than 4 cores Grade Group 4-5.
StageDefinition
Grade Group 1Gleason 3+3 = 6. Only individual, well-formed glands.
Grade Group 2Gleason 3+4 = 7. Predominantly well-formed glands with a lesser component of poorly formed, fused or cribriform glands.
Grade Group 3Gleason 4+3 = 7. Predominantly poorly formed, fused or cribriform glands.
Grade Group 4Gleason 8 (4+4, 3+5, 5+3).
Grade Group 5Gleason 9-10. Lack of gland formation, necrosis, or both.

IMDC (Heng) risk model for metastatic RCC

Heng criteria
Score
0 / 6
Favourable
Median overall survival on VEGF-targeted therapy (external validation, Heng 2013)
43.2 months
Favourable 0: 43.2 monthsIntermediate 1-2: 22.5 monthsPoor 3-6: 7.8 months

Derived in the VEGF-TKI era; survival on immunotherapy combinations is longer in every group, but the groups still select first-line regimens (nivolumab-ipilimumab is approved for intermediate and poor risk).

Source: Heng et al., Lancet Oncology 2013 (validation); JCO 2009 (derivation). Outcomes are those of the published cohort and do not account for treatments since.

FIGO 2018 staging of cervical cancer

Bhatla et al., Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2019

The 2018 revision allows imaging and pathology to assign stage and adds IIIC for nodal disease (IIIC1 pelvic, IIIC2 para-aortic).

StageDefinition
IA1 / IA2Microscopic invasion under 3 mm / 3-5 mm.
IB1 / IB2 / IB3Invasion 5 mm or more and largest dimension under 2 cm / 2-4 cm / 4 cm or more.
IIA1 / IIA2 / IIBUpper two-thirds of vagina under 4 cm / 4 cm or more / parametrial involvement.
IIIA / IIIB / IIIC1 / IIIC2Lower third of vagina / pelvic wall or hydronephrosis / pelvic nodes / para-aortic nodes.
IVA / IVBBladder or rectum invasion / distant metastasis.

FIGO 2014 staging of ovarian, fallopian tube and peritoneal cancer

Prat et al., Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2014
StageDefinition
I (IA-IC)Confined to ovaries or tubes; IC for surgical spill, capsule rupture or positive washings.
IIPelvic extension or primary peritoneal cancer confined to the pelvis.
III (IIIA1-IIIC)Spread to the peritoneum outside the pelvis or retroperitoneal nodes: IIIA1 nodes only, IIIA2 microscopic, IIIB 2 cm or smaller, IIIC over 2 cm.
IV (IVA-IVB)Distant metastasis: IVA pleural effusion with positive cytology; IVB parenchymal or extra-abdominal metastases.

Staging decides when to treat (iwCLL active-disease criteria), not what to treat with; CLL-IPI (below) and TP53/IGHV status guide therapy choice.

StageDefinition
Binet AFewer than 3 involved lymphoid areas, haemoglobin 100 g/L or above, platelets 100 × 10⁹/L or above (Rai 0-II).
Binet B3 or more involved areas, counts preserved (Rai I-II).
Binet CHaemoglobin under 100 g/L or platelets under 100 × 10⁹/L (Rai III-IV).

CLL-IPI

Score
0 / 10
Low
5-year overall survival (derivation, chemoimmunotherapy era)
93.2%
Low 0-1: 93.2%Intermediate 2-3: 79.3%High 4-6: 63.3%Very high 7-10: 23.3%

Outcomes predate BTK and BCL-2 inhibitors; with targeted therapy the survival gap between groups narrows but TP53 status still changes the regimen.

Source: International CLL-IPI working group, Lancet Oncology 2016. Outcomes are those of the published cohort and do not account for treatments since.

Lugano classification (modified Ann Arbor) for lymphoma

Cheson et al., JCO 2014

Limited stage is I-II; advanced stage is III-IV. B symptoms (fever, night sweats, weight loss over 10% in 6 months) are recorded for Hodgkin lymphoma only. Bulk is a single mass of 10 cm or over a third of the transthoracic diameter (Hodgkin) or per histology for NHL.

StageDefinition
IOne node or group of adjacent nodes; or a single extranodal lesion without nodal involvement (IE).
IITwo or more nodal groups on the same side of the diaphragm; or stage I-II by nodal extent with limited contiguous extranodal involvement (IIE).
II bulkyStage II with bulky disease; treated as limited or advanced by histology and prognostic factors.
IIINodes on both sides of the diaphragm, or nodes above the diaphragm with spleen involvement.
IVAdditional non-contiguous extralymphatic involvement (marrow, liver, lung, CNS).

International Prognostic Index (IPI) with R-IPI groups

IPI · R-IPI
Score
0 / 5
Very good (R-IPI)
4-year overall survival, rituximab era (R-IPI, Sehn 2007)
94% (4-year PFS 94%)
Very good (R-IPI) 0: 94% (4-year PFS 94%)Good (R-IPI) 1-2: 79% (4-year PFS 80%)Poor (R-IPI) 3-5: 55% (4-year PFS 53%)

Original IPI groups: low 0-1, low-intermediate 2, high-intermediate 3, high 4-5 with 5-year OS 73%, 51%, 43% and 26% before rituximab (Shipp 1993). NCCN-IPI (Zhou 2014) refines age and LDH bands.

Source: Sehn et al., Blood 2007 (R-IPI); Shipp et al., NEJM 1993 (IPI). Outcomes are those of the published cohort and do not account for treatments since.

Lugano classification (modified Ann Arbor) for lymphoma

Cheson et al., JCO 2014

Limited stage is I-II; advanced stage is III-IV. B symptoms (fever, night sweats, weight loss over 10% in 6 months) are recorded for Hodgkin lymphoma only. Bulk is a single mass of 10 cm or over a third of the transthoracic diameter (Hodgkin) or per histology for NHL.

StageDefinition
IOne node or group of adjacent nodes; or a single extranodal lesion without nodal involvement (IE).
IITwo or more nodal groups on the same side of the diaphragm; or stage I-II by nodal extent with limited contiguous extranodal involvement (IIE).
II bulkyStage II with bulky disease; treated as limited or advanced by histology and prognostic factors.
IIINodes on both sides of the diaphragm, or nodes above the diaphragm with spleen involvement.
IVAdditional non-contiguous extralymphatic involvement (marrow, liver, lung, CNS).

FLIPI

Follicular Lymphoma International Prognostic Index
Score
0 / 5
Low
10-year overall survival (derivation cohort, pre-rituximab)
71%
Low 0-1: 71%Intermediate 2: 51%High 3-5: 36%

FLIPI2 (Federico 2009) uses β2-microglobulin, node over 6 cm, marrow involvement, haemoglobin and age; PRIMA-PI uses β2-microglobulin and marrow alone.

Source: Solal-Céligny et al., Blood 2004. Outcomes are those of the published cohort and do not account for treatments since.

Lugano classification (modified Ann Arbor) for lymphoma

Cheson et al., JCO 2014

Limited stage is I-II; advanced stage is III-IV. B symptoms (fever, night sweats, weight loss over 10% in 6 months) are recorded for Hodgkin lymphoma only. Bulk is a single mass of 10 cm or over a third of the transthoracic diameter (Hodgkin) or per histology for NHL.

StageDefinition
IOne node or group of adjacent nodes; or a single extranodal lesion without nodal involvement (IE).
IITwo or more nodal groups on the same side of the diaphragm; or stage I-II by nodal extent with limited contiguous extranodal involvement (IIE).
II bulkyStage II with bulky disease; treated as limited or advanced by histology and prognostic factors.
IIINodes on both sides of the diaphragm, or nodes above the diaphragm with spleen involvement.
IVAdditional non-contiguous extralymphatic involvement (marrow, liver, lung, CNS).

Lugano classification (modified Ann Arbor) for lymphoma

Cheson et al., JCO 2014

Limited stage is I-II; advanced stage is III-IV. B symptoms (fever, night sweats, weight loss over 10% in 6 months) are recorded for Hodgkin lymphoma only. Bulk is a single mass of 10 cm or over a third of the transthoracic diameter (Hodgkin) or per histology for NHL.

StageDefinition
IOne node or group of adjacent nodes; or a single extranodal lesion without nodal involvement (IE).
IITwo or more nodal groups on the same side of the diaphragm; or stage I-II by nodal extent with limited contiguous extranodal involvement (IIE).
II bulkyStage II with bulky disease; treated as limited or advanced by histology and prognostic factors.
IIINodes on both sides of the diaphragm, or nodes above the diaphragm with spleen involvement.
IVAdditional non-contiguous extralymphatic involvement (marrow, liver, lung, CNS).

Simplified MIPI

MIPI · Mantle Cell Lymphoma International Prognostic Index
Score
0 / 11
Low
Median overall survival (derivation, Hoster 2008)
Not reached (5-year OS 60%)
Low 0-3: Not reached (5-year OS 60%)Intermediate 4-5: 51 monthsHigh 6-11: 29 months

Ki-67 of 30% or more adds independent risk (MIPI-c). Outcomes predate BTK inhibitors and cytarabine-based induction.

Source: Hoster et al., Blood 2008. Outcomes are those of the published cohort and do not account for treatments since.

Myeloma ISS and R-ISS staging

Palumbo et al., JCO 2015 (R-ISS)

ISS uses β2-microglobulin and albumin only. R-ISS adds interphase FISH (del(17p), t(4;14), t(14;16)) and LDH. R2-ISS (2022) further weights 1q gain. Use the interactive R-ISS scorer below.

StageDefinition
ISS Iβ2-microglobulin under 3.5 mg/L and albumin 35 g/L or above.
ISS IINeither I nor III.
ISS IIIβ2-microglobulin 5.5 mg/L or above.
R-ISS IISS I, standard-risk cytogenetics and normal LDH.
R-ISS IINot R-ISS I or III.
R-ISS IIIISS III with either high-risk cytogenetics or raised LDH.

R-ISS (Revised International Staging System)

Score
0 / 5
R-ISS I
5-year overall survival (Palumbo 2015 pooled trials)
82%
R-ISS I 0: 82%R-ISS II 1-3: 62%R-ISS III 4-5: 40%

Points here are a device to reproduce the R-ISS rules: stage III needs ISS III plus at least one of high-risk FISH or raised LDH; stage I needs ISS I with neither. Median OS was not reached, 83 months and 43 months.

Source: Palumbo et al., JCO 2015. Outcomes are those of the published cohort and do not account for treatments since.

Lugano classification (modified Ann Arbor) for lymphoma

Cheson et al., JCO 2014

Limited stage is I-II; advanced stage is III-IV. B symptoms (fever, night sweats, weight loss over 10% in 6 months) are recorded for Hodgkin lymphoma only. Bulk is a single mass of 10 cm or over a third of the transthoracic diameter (Hodgkin) or per histology for NHL.

StageDefinition
IOne node or group of adjacent nodes; or a single extranodal lesion without nodal involvement (IE).
IITwo or more nodal groups on the same side of the diaphragm; or stage I-II by nodal extent with limited contiguous extranodal involvement (IIE).
II bulkyStage II with bulky disease; treated as limited or advanced by histology and prognostic factors.
IIINodes on both sides of the diaphragm, or nodes above the diaphragm with spleen involvement.
IVAdditional non-contiguous extralymphatic involvement (marrow, liver, lung, CNS).

Lung cancer TNM, 8th edition: stage groups

Detterbeck et al., Chest 2017 (IASLC 8th edition)
StageDefinition
IA1-IA3T1a-c (3 cm or smaller) N0 M0; IA1 up to 1 cm, IA2 1-2 cm, IA3 2-3 cm.
IBT2a (3-4 cm, or main bronchus or visceral pleura) N0.
IIAT2b (4-5 cm) N0.
IIBT1-2 N1, or T3 (5-7 cm, chest wall, separate nodule same lobe) N0.
IIIAT1-2 N2, T3 N1, or T4 (over 7 cm, mediastinal invasion, nodule in another ipsilateral lobe) N0-1.
IIIBT1-2 N3, or T3-4 N2.
IIICT3-4 N3.
IVAM1a (pleural or pericardial spread, contralateral lung nodule) or M1b (single extrathoracic metastasis).
IVBM1c: multiple extrathoracic metastases.

Small-cell lung cancer: limited versus extensive stage

Kalemkerian et al., NCCN Small Cell Lung Cancer; VALG two-stage system
StageDefinition
Limited stageConfined to one hemithorax and regional nodes, encompassable in a tolerable radiotherapy field (roughly TNM I-III without malignant effusion); about a third of patients.
Extensive stageBeyond one hemithorax, malignant pleural or pericardial effusion, or distant metastases (TNM IV); about two-thirds.
StageDefinition
IAT1a (under 0.8 mm, no ulceration) or T1b (under 0.8 mm ulcerated, or 0.8-1.0 mm) N0.
IBT2a (1.0-2.0 mm, no ulceration) N0.
IIAT2b (1.0-2.0 mm ulcerated) or T3a (2.0-4.0 mm) N0.
IIBT3b (2.0-4.0 mm ulcerated) or T4a (over 4 mm) N0.
IICT4b (over 4 mm, ulcerated) N0.
IIIA-IIIDRegional node or in-transit, satellite or microsatellite disease; substage by primary thickness and ulceration and by number and type (clinically occult versus detected) of nodes.
IVM1a skin, soft tissue, distant nodes; M1b lung; M1c other visceral (not CNS); M1d CNS. Each with (0) normal or (1) raised LDH.

All cancers: thrombosis risk

Khorana score for chemotherapy-associated venous thromboembolism

Score
0 / 6
Low
Symptomatic VTE over a median 2.5 months of chemotherapy (derivation cohort)
0.3%
Low 0: 0.3%Intermediate 1-2: 2.0%High 3-6: 6.7%

ASCO and NCCN suggest offering apixaban or rivaroxaban thromboprophylaxis to ambulatory patients scoring 2 or more (AVERT, CASSINI), after weighing bleeding risk.

Source: Khorana et al., Blood 2008. Outcomes are those of the published cohort and do not account for treatments since.

About the numbers

Outcomes are quoted from the derivation or validation cohort named in each source and reflect the treatments of that era: R-IPI and CLL-IPI predate CAR-T and BTK inhibitors, IMDC predates immunotherapy doublets. They rank risk; they do not predict an individual. Stage tables are summarised to the level quoted in clinic; consult the AJCC/UICC manual for the full T, N and M definitions.

Related tools

Lines of therapy lays out what is done at each stage; the calculators cover body surface area, renal function and RECIST; the glossary explains TNM staging, Lugano and R-ISS. Not medical advice.