TNM staging system

TNM staging system is a globally recognized system for classifying the extent of spread of cancer. It is a tool used by oncologists to determine the prognosis and treatment plan for individuals diagnosed with cancer. The system is maintained by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC).

Overview

The TNM staging system is based on the size and extent of the tumor (T), the number of nearby lymph nodes that have cancer (N), and whether the cancer has spread, or metastasized, to other parts of the body (M). Each of these categories is further divided into subcategories to provide a detailed description of the cancer's progression.

Components

Tumor (T)

The T in TNM stands for tumor. The size and extent of the primary tumor is classified on a scale from TX (tumor cannot be measured) to T4 (tumor has grown into nearby tissues or organs).

Nodes (N)

The N in TNM stands for nodes. This refers to whether the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes. It is classified on a scale from NX (cancer in nearby nodes cannot be measured) to N3 (cancer has spread to many nearby nodes).

Metastasis (M)

The M in TNM stands for metastasis. This refers to whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. It is classified as either M0 (no distant spread) or M1 (cancer has spread to distant parts of the body).

Usage

The TNM staging system is used by medical professionals worldwide to classify the extent of cancer spread. It helps in determining the prognosis and in planning the treatment. It also allows for the comparison of individual patient outcomes, both within and across institutions.

See also

• Cancer staging
• Union for International Cancer Control
• Metastasis
• Lymph node

TNM staging system

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  Diagram showing the T stages of bladder cancer