3.2 Staging
3.2 Staging
Staging is a critical element in treatment planning and should be clearly documented in the patient’s medical record.
Staging for oesophageal cancer may involve these tests:
- CT scan of the neck, thorax, abdomen and pelvis
- endoscopic ultrasound
- PET scan
- endoscopic resection, which can provide staging information for selected early cancers.
Staging for oesophagogastric junction cancer may involves these tests:
- CT scan of the neck, thorax, abdomen and pelvis
- endoscopic ultrasound
- staging laparoscopy to exclude metastatic disease and assess resectability
- PET scan
- endoscopic resection, which can provide staging information for selected early cancers.
Staging for gastric cancer may involve these tests:
- CT scan of the neck, thorax, abdomen and pelvis
- endoscopic resection (in early lesions)
- staging laparoscopy to exclude metastatic disease and assess resectability.
In addition, the following tests may be required:
- full blood count
- liver and renal function tests
- pulmonary and cardiac assessment to assess fitness for therapy.
Staging work-up needs to be complete to allow presentation at an MDM within two weeks of diagnosis and within four weeks of the general practitioner referral.
More information
Visit the Cancer Institute New South Wales website for information about understanding the stages of cancer.
