A member asked:

Cancer specialist: i have been told by a friend that a biopsy can determine the stage of cancer. i say this is incorrect-only surgery does it. hmm?

A doctor has provided 1 answer
Dr. Lori Semel answered

Specializes in Pediatrics

Staging: In most cancers, there is a pathological staging as well as staging determined by the extent of spread. The initial pathological staging can usually be done by biopsy while the surgery is needed to determine the extent of spread outside of the primary tumour. So, in fact you are both right.

Answered 10/8/2014

3.7k views

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