Contents

TNM Classification

Objectives

By the end of these revision notes, you should:

What is the TNM Classification?

The TNM classification is a method used to stage all cancers. By staging a cancer, clinicians are able to determine best treatment options as well as determine a patient’s prognosis. These revision notes focus on the TNM classification in relation to oral cavity cancers.

Staging a tumour is different from grading a tumour. Grading describes how similar tumour cells are to healthy cells. Staging, on the other hand, describes how advanced a cancer is.

The TNM classification is divided in to:

T

Tumour

This looks at the size and depth of invasion of the tumour

N

Nodes

This addresses the number of lymph nodes involved locally, the size of lymph nodes, the location of the lymph nodes and if there is any extranodal extension (ENE). ENE is when a cancer has spread out of the lymph node and is impacting surrounding tissues

M

Metastasis

This looks at whether the cancer has spread distant to the primary site i.e. to other parts of the body

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Tumour

Nodes

Metastasis

Examples of the TNM Classification

Example 1

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Example 2

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Summary

References

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