What stage is Tyrone's cancer if it has grown beyond the submucosa into the muscle with no lymph node involvement or metastasis?

To determine the correct stage of Tyrone's cancer, it's essential to understand the staging system used for tumors, particularly the TNM classification (Tumor, Node, Metastasis). In this case, the tumor has infiltrated beyond the submucosa into the muscle, which indicates a deeper level of invasion. The absence of lymph node involvement or metastasis simplifies the assessment.

Stage I typically describes tumors that are localized and have not invaded deeper tissues. Stage II is characterized by tumors that have penetrated further into local tissues but have not yet spread to lymph nodes or distant sites. Given that Tyrone's cancer has grown into the muscle but has not impacted any lymph nodes or metastasized elsewhere, it aligns with the criteria for Stage II.

Stage III generally indicates more extensive local infiltration and involvement of regional lymph nodes, while Stage IV represents advanced disease with metastasis to distant organs. Therefore, since there is muscle involvement without lymph node or metastatic spread, the classification as Stage II accurately reflects the tumor's progression at this point.