Site Search:

Staging

Staging is a process that determines how widespread the cancer may be. The stage tells the doctor if the cancer has spread and if so, how far it has spread. Staging systems change over time. The staging system below is the current staging system used by the Children's Oncology Group for rhabdoid tumor of the kidney.

Staging of non-kidney rhabdoid tumors has not yet been set up.

• Stage I: Tumor was inside the kidney and completely removed by the surgeon
• Stage II: Tumor grew beyond the kidney and was completely removed by the surgeon
• Stage III: Tumor could not be completely removed and there is still tumor present in the abdomen
  • Tumor cells are found in lymph nodes in the abdomen
  • Tumor cells spread into or onto the membranes of the intestines
  • Tumor cells are seen under the microscope at the edge of the surgery specimen
  • Tumor was left behind because of spread into an important structure
  • Tumor cells spilled into the abdomen before or after surgery
  • The tumor was biopsied
  • Tumor is removed in more than one piece
• Stage IV: Tumor has spread outside of the abdomen
• Stage V: Tumor in both kidneys

Of those with rhabdoid tumor of the kidney, 10% of the children have stage I disease, 18% stage II, 41% stage III, 29% stage VI and 2% stage V.

The most common site for the rhabdoid tumor to spread in patients with stage IV disease are the lungs ( 81% ), the brain (10% ), the liver (7% ) and the bone (5%).