Final answer:
Cancer staging helps in determining treatment options by classifying cancer based on the tumor size and spread. It is crucial for predicting prognosis and assessing treatment effectiveness.
Step-by-step explanation:
Staging in cancer is crucial as it determines the extent to which cancer has spread, aiding in the creation of a suitable treatment plan. One of the primary purposes of cancer staging is to classify cancer based on factors such as tumor size and the degree of spread, which are critical in choosing the appropriate therapy. The correct answer to the question is c. Determining treatment options. Staging helps medical professionals to understand the seriousness of cancer and the prognosis for a patient, which can differ significantly based on the stage at the time of diagnosis.
Cancer staging is also vital for assessing the effectiveness of treatment plans and making necessary adjustments if cancer progresses or improves. Moreover, understanding gene expression patterns in cancer cells can lead to the identification of faulty genes, subsequently providing relevant drug treatment, which aligns with the option a. Identifying genetic factors, though it is not the direct answer to this question.