Oscar, Do a bit or reading about "staging" a cancer. That process is a system of classifying the size of the tumor and whether or not it has metastisized to another location. Our type of cancer, with primary tumors that are physically close to the lymph system in the neck, often metastisizes through the lymph nodes. That may have a bearing on that statement you are asking about. My primary tumor was in the base of my tongue and had then spread to the lymph nodes in my neck. Those factors together made my cancer a stage 4. Hope that helps. Tom J