What organization provides guidelines for cancer staging and treatment protocols?

The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) is recognized for creating and maintaining a comprehensive system for cancer staging known as the AJCC Cancer Staging Manual. This system is critical for classifying the extent of cancer progression and is widely used by healthcare professionals to determine the most appropriate treatment plans and predict patient outcomes. Cancer staging is integral to oncology as it influences treatment decisions, research and clinical trials, and overall patient management.

While the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), and the American Cancer Society (ACS) all contribute valuable resources and guidelines in the field of oncology, they have different focuses. The NCI is primarily involved in cancer research and funding, ASCO provides clinical guidelines for oncologists and patient care but does not establish staging criteria, and the ACS focuses on raising awareness, prevention, and patient support rather than specific staging protocols. Therefore, the AJCC stands out as the definitive authority on cancer staging and treatment guidelines.