NCIt definition : The process of defining at what point in the natural history of a malignant disease
a patient is when a diagnosis is made.;
Alternative definition : NCI-GLOSS: Performing exams and tests to learn the extent of the cancer within the
body, especially whether the disease has spread from the original site to other parts
of the body. It is important to know the stage of the disease in order to plan the
best treatment.; CDISC: The determination of the extent of disease within the context of the expected
progression of the disease, and in accordance with pre-defined criteria.;