Both Alison and Diane have provided good information that I hope is helping you figure out whether your mom is making up her information or is confused.
You mentioned leukemia. I could see where someone might think that leukemia, which is cancer of the blood, could be a type of bone cancer since the bone marrow is involved. There is no stage 3.5 for leukemia.
The staging system for leukemia differs from that for bone and many other cancers, which are given stages of I, II, III, or IV. These stages are based on the size of the tumor and how far from the original site in the body the cancer has spread. Because leukemia already involves all of the bone marrow in the body, and in many cases, has spread to other organs such as the liver, spleen, and lymph nodes, the staging of leukemia depends on other information that reflects the patient's outlook for survival. Different staging systems are used for different types of chronic leukemia. Some types do not have any staging system. You can find more information on how leukemia is staged here:
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Hi MGBrewP8 -
Both Alison and Diane have provided good information that I hope is helping you figure out whether your mom is making up her information or is confused.
You mentioned leukemia. I could see where someone might think that leukemia, which is cancer of the blood, could be a type of bone cancer since the bone marrow is involved. There is no stage 3.5 for leukemia.
The staging system for leukemia differs from that for bone and many other cancers, which are given stages of I, II, III, or IV. These stages are based on the size of the tumor and how far from the original site in the body the cancer has spread. Because leukemia already involves all of the bone marrow in the body, and in many cases, has spread to other organs such as the liver, spleen, and lymph nodes, the staging of leukemia depends on other information that reflects the patient's outlook for survival. Different staging systems are used for different types of chronic leukemia. Some types do not have any staging system. You can find more information on how leukemia is staged here:
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_3X_How_is_leukemia_staged_62.asp
Best wishes to you in unraveling this mystery. Will you please let us know what you learn when you talk with your mom? Take care, Pat
January 7, 2010 - 5:54pmThis Comment
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