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How do doctors determine what stage of cancer you have? - Hyunsoo Joshua No and Trudy Wu

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TEDEd Animation

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Each year, approximately 20 million people receive a cancer diagnosis. At that time, a patient usually learns their cancer’s stage, which is typically a number ranging from one to four. While staging is designed, in part, to help patients better understand what they’re facing, the number can be confusing. So, what do cancer stages actually mean? Hyunsoo Joshua No and Trudy Wu explain.

With advancements in technology and molecular testing, staging has improved to better define prognosis for cancers. What are some technological advancements that can help further improve staging?

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TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Hyunsoo Joshua No, Trudy Wu
  • Director Jess Mountfield
  • Narrator Addison Anderson
  • Music Cem Misirlioglu
  • Sound Designer Cem Misirlioglu
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Produced by Sazia Afrin
  • Editorial Director Alex Rosenthal
  • Editorial Producer Shannon Odell
  • Script Editor Max G. Levy
  • Fact-Checker Charles Wallace

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