- Head and Neck Tumours
- Digestive System Tumours
- Lung Tumours
- Tumours of Bone and Soft Tissues
- Skin Tumours
- Breast Tumours
- Gynaecological Tumours
- Urological Tumours
- Ophthalmic Tumours
- References
Abstract
This new edition of TNM Supplement: A Commentary on Uniform Use, Second Edition, promotes the uniform application of the
TNM
classification in cancer practice. The text of the second edition of TNM Supplement provides explanations and examples to
answer many questions that might arise during the daily use of TNM, particularly in unusual cases.
This chapter provides additional explanatory information for application of TNM to specific anatomical sites by providing
more precise definitions for anatomical sites/subsites, regional lymph nodes and T, N, and M categories that are generic
or
ambiguous.
1. Introduction
This chapter is an expansion of the
following general rules of the TNM system (TNM Classification 1997 [13], pp. 7, 8):
2b. Pathological assessment of the primary tumour (pT) entails a resection of the primary tumour or biopsy adequate to evaluate the highest pT category. The pathological assessment of the regional lymph nodes (pN) entails removal of nodes adequate to validate the absence of regional lymph node metastasis (pN0) and sufficient to evaluate the highest pN category. 4. If there is doubt concerning the correct T, N or M category to which a particular case should be allotted, then the lower (i.e., less advanced) category should be chosen. |
In the TNM Classification of 1997 [13] these general rules have been specified for
breast cancer only. Analogous definitions for the pN0 category of other tumour
sites are given in the 1997 TNM Classification, except for bone, soft tissues, urological, and ophthalmic
tumours.
The numbers of lymph nodes given in the different tumour sites are considered adequate for staging. If the
examined lymph
nodes are negative but the number ordinarily resected is not met, classify as pN0. The number of nodes examined and the
number
involved by tumour should be recorded in the pathology report [1, 2, href="#ref4">4, 6, 7, 9]. This information may also be
added in parentheses, e.g., for colorectal carcinoma pN0 (0/11) or pN1 (3/10).
In many tumour sites, the number of
involved regional lymph nodes indicates differences in prognosis. For details, see
pN-Regional Lymph Nodes. A correlation exists between the number of
examined lymph nodes and the pN classification. With increasing number of examined
lymph nodes a higher frequency of lymph node-positive cases is found and-in tumour sites where more than one positive pN
category
is provided-a greater proportion of higher pN categories can be observed [3, 11].
Therefore, the number of examined lymph nodes reflects the reliability of the pN classification.
2. Head and Neck Tumours
2.1. pT-Primary Tumour
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2.2. pN-Regional Lymph Nodes
The site-specific recommendations regarding number of nodes for diagnosis of pN0 for all sites of head and necktumours have
been incorporated in the 5th edition [13] (see Table 3).
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Notes. 1. Terminology of neck dissection [8]: A radical neck
dissection includes the removal of all ipsilateral cervical lymph node groups, i.e., lymph nodes from levels
I through V and removal of the spinal accessory nerve, internal jugular
vein and sternocleidomastoid muscle.
In a modified radical neck dissection the same lymph nodes are removed as in a radical neck dissection;
however, one or more
nonlymphatic structures are preserved.
A selective neck dissection is a neck dissection with preservation of one or more lymph node groups
routinely removed in radical
neck dissection.
The most often performed types of selective neck dissections are: (a) supraomohyoid dissection, levels
I-III; (b) posterolateral
neck dissection, levels II-V and the retroauricular and occipital (suboccipital) nodes; (c) lateral neck
dissection, levels
II-IV, (d) anterior compartment neck dissection, level VI.
2. If the size of a biopsied lymph node is not indicated by the submitting surgeon,
classify pN1 if the positive biopsy is from one node and pN2 if positive
biopsies are from two or more lymph nodes.
Table 3. Number of lymph nodes usually examined in lymph node dissection specimens to classify
pN0
pN0
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2.3. Nasopharynx
2.3.1. pN1
Microscopic confirmation of unilateral metastasis in lymph node(s), 6 cm or less in greatest dimension, abovesupraclavicular
fossa
2.3.2. pN2
Microscopic confirmation of bilateral metastasis in lymph node(s), 6 cm or less in greatest dimension, abovesupraclavicular
fossa
2.3.3. pN3
Microscopic confirmation of metastasis in lymph node(s)| a. | greater than 6 cm in dimension |
| b. | in the supraclavicular fossa |
2.4. Thyroid Gland
2.4.1. pN1a
Microscopic confirmation of a metastasis in an ipsilateral cervical lymph nodeclass="sect3">2.4.2. pN1b