TNM Staging System

TNM Staging System

Write short note on TNM classifiation of malignant tumors.

Answer. TNM classification was given by American Joint

Committe on Cancer (AJCC):
T is suggestive of primary tumor
N is suggestive of regional lymph nodes
M is suggestive of distant metastasis
T primary tumor
TX Primary tumor cannot be assessed
T0 No evidence of primary tumor
T is Carcinoma in situ

“Tnm Staging System Explained”

T1 Tumor 2 cm of less in greatest dimension
T2 Tumor more than 2 cm but not more than 4 cm in greatest dimension
T3 Tumor more than 4 cm in greatest dimension
T4a (Lip) Tumor invades through cortical bone, inferior alveolar nerve, flor of mouth or skin (chin or nose)
T4a (Oral cavity) Tumor invades through cortical bone,into deep/extrinsic muscle of tongue (genioglossus,hyoglossus, palatoglossus and styloglossus), maxillary sinus or skin of face.
T4b (lip and oral cavity) Tumor invades masticatory space, pterygoid plates or skull base or encases internal carotid artery
N–Regional lymph nodes

“Importance Of Tnm Staging In Cancer Treatment”

NX–Regional lymph nodes cannot be assessed
N0–No regional lymph node metastasis
N1–Metastasis in a single ipsilateral lymph node, 3 cm or less in greatest dimension
N2a–Metastasis in a single ipsilateral lymph node, more than 3 cm but not more than 6 cm in greatest dimension
N2b–Metastasis in multiple ipsilateral lymph nodes, not more than 6 cm in greatest dimension N2c–Metastasis in bilateral or contralateral lymph nodes,not more than 6 cm in greatest dimension

“Risk Factors In Tnm Cancer Staging”

N3–Metastasis in a lymph node more than 6 cm in greatest dimension
M Distant metastasis
MX Distant metastasis cannot be assessed
M0 No distant metastasis
M1 Distant metastasis.

Stage Grouping of oral Cancer