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A stage of cancer is a descriptor of how much the cancer has spread. The stage is usually determined by the size of a tumor, how deep it is and whether it has invaded other cells. It is also determined by the number of lymph nodes it has metastasized to as well as whether it has, spread to distant organs. Cancer staging is key because the stage at which cancer is diagnosed is a predictor of survival. Treatment change is also done based on the stage of the cancer.

Staging of cancer can be divided into two. There is the clinical stage and there is the pathologic stage. Clinical stage is based on the available information gained before surgery while pathologic stage gives additional information obtained through examination of the tumor microscopically. In the pathologic stage, a pathologist examines sections of the tissue

Although clinical and pathologic stages complement each other, pathologic staging is usually considered accurate because it allows direct examination of the tumor and it's spread. Clinical staging on the other hand is limited because the tumor is still in the body and therefore only indirect observations can be made.

Cancer staging is crucial because treatment is directly related to the stage of the disease. Incorrect staging could therefore lead to improper treatment and hence reduce the chances of survival. Specific staging systems are used for specific types of cancer. There are however some cancers that do not have a staging system. Overall stage grouping, also known as Roman Numerical staging uses the numerals I, II, III, and IV to describe the progression of cancer.