Who is the only person authorized to assign a patient's cancer stage?

The managing physician holds the responsibility and authority to assign a patient's cancer stage. This role often involves a thorough understanding of oncology, including the biological behavior of different tumors, diagnostic criteria, and staging systems such as the TNM classification. As the lead provider overseeing a patient’s oncology care, the managing physician integrates clinical findings, imaging studies, and pathology reports to make an informed decision about the cancer stage.

In contrast, other healthcare professionals, such as nurse practitioners, oncology nurses, and primary care physicians, play important supportive roles in patient care and may contribute to the diagnostic process, but they do not have the final authority to assign cancer stages. Their involvement is critical in patient management and care coordination, yet the specific obligation of staging typically falls under the purview of the managing physician, who is equipped with the expertise and clinical insight required for this critical aspect of cancer treatment.