What factors are used to determine the stage for brain and spinal cord malignancies?

The staging of brain and spinal cord malignancies typically relies on a more complex set of guidelines than the general factors of tumor location and size. In the case of central nervous system (CNS) tumors, the staging system is unique because these tumors do not follow the traditional TNM (Tumor, Node, Metastasis) classification used for other cancers. Instead, the most influential factors include the histological type of the tumor, the grade, the presence of certain genetic markers, or molecular characteristics, rather than just location or size.

Location is important in terms of impact on neurological function and potential for resection, and size can impact treatment approaches, but they are not definitive factors for the staging itself. Brain and spinal cord tumors are often classified based on their specific type and other inherent characteristics rather than simply on location and size. Thus, without recognizing the broader and more nuanced criteria used for CNS tumors, relying solely on location and size would lead to an incomplete understanding of the staging process.