A staging system is a method used to classify the severity or extent of a disease, particularly in cancer. It helps doctors determine how far the disease has progressed, which is crucial for planning treatment and predicting outcomes. The system often uses a combination of factors, including tumor size, lymph node involvement, and the presence of metastasis. Different types of staging systems exist, such as the TNM system, which stands for Tumor, Node, and Metastasis. Each component provides specific information: T indicates the size of the primary tumor, N describes the involvement of nearby lymph nodes, and M shows whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.