Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

staff of Aesculapius
See 
Aesculapius.
stage 1
A distinct phase in the course of a disease
(or any biological process).
2
The extent of a can-
cer, and especially whether the disease has spread
from the original site to other parts of the body. See
also 
staging.
stage of dilation
See 
first stage of labor.
stage of expulsion
See 
second stage of labor.
staging
Doing exams and tests to learn the extent
of a cancer, especially whether it has spread from its
original site to other parts of the body. The follow-
ing stage numbers are typically used in staging:
•
Stage I
Cancer cells are found only on
the surface of the affected organ or area.
•
Stage II
Cancer cells are found in the
deeper tissues of the organ or area and
have spread.
•
Stage III
Cancer cells are found in even
deeper tissues and have spread to nearby
lymph nodes or other nearby areas.
•
Stage IV
Cancer cells are found
throughout the organ or area and in
nearby lymph nodes and/or have spread
to other parts of the body.
staph
See 
staphylococcus.
staph infection
See 
staphylococcal infection.
staphylococcal infection
Infection with one of
the staphylococcus bacteria. Staphylococcal infec-
tion can cause pus-filled abscesses on the skin or
internal organs and can migrate through the blood
to infect the heart, meninges, and other areas.
Treatment involves use of antibiotics and drainage
of abscesses, as necessary. Also known as staph
infection. See also 
staphylococcal scalded skin
syndrome; staphylococcus.