NCIt definition : Cancer that has spread to distant anatomic sites beyond its original site of growth.
The definition of stage IVA depends on the particular type of cancer that it refers
to; for example, for bone cancer, stage IVA is defined as follows: Any T, N0, M1a,
Any G. N0: No regional lymph node metastasis. M1a: Distant metastasis to lung; for
vaginal cancer, stage IVA is defined as follows: T4, Any N, M0. T4: Tumor invades
mucosa of the bladder or rectum and/or extends beyond the true pelvis (bullous edema
is not sufficient evidence to classify a tumor as T4). M0: No distant metastasis.
(partially adapted from AJCC 7th ed.);