What is the staging system for cancer established by the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC)?

The correct answer is the TNM System, which is the staging system for cancer developed by the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC). This system is widely used for classifying the extent of cancer in terms of three key components:

• T describes the size of the primary Tumor and whether it has invaded nearby tissue.

• N indicates whether the cancer has spread to nearby lymph Nodes.

• M signifies whether there are distant Metastases, meaning the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

This standardized method allows for a consistent understanding of the cancer's severity and progression among healthcare providers and aids in determining the best treatment options and predicting patient outcomes.

In contrast, the Gleason System is specifically used for grading prostate cancer based on how much the tumor cells resemble normal prostate cells. The PSA System relates to the measurement of prostate-specific antigen for monitoring prostate cancer but does not classify cancer stages. The FIGO System, developed by the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics, is primarily used for staging gynecological cancers, rather than being a general system applicable to all cancer types. Thus, the TNM System is the correct and most widely recognized staging system for cancer overall.