Table 1 The tumor, node, metastasis (TNM) classification of the American Joint Committee on Cancer [24]
From: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Primary Tumor (T) | |
|---|---|
TX | Primary tumor cannot be assessed |
TO | No evidence of primary tumor |
Tis | Carcinoma in situ |
Nasopharynx | |
T1 | Tumor confined to the nasopharynx |
T2 | Tumor extends to soft tissues of oropharynx and/or nasal fossa |
• T2a | • without parapharyngeal extension |
• T2b | • with parapharyngeal extension |
T3 | Tumor invades bony structures and/or paranasal sinuses |
T4 | Tumor with intracranial extension and/or involvement of cranial nerves, infratemporal fossa, hypopharynx, or orbit, or masticator space |
Regional Lymph Nodes (N): Nasopharynx | |
The distribution of regional lymph node spread from nasopharyngeal cancer, particularly of the undifferentiated type, is different than that of other head and neck mucosal cancers and justifies use of a different N classification scheme. In children this does not have a prognostic impact. | |
NX | Regional lymph nodes cannot be assessed |
N0 | No regional lymph node metastasis |
N1 | Unilateral metastasis in lymph node(s), 6 cm or less in greatest dimension, above the supraclavicular fossa. |
N2 | Bilateral metastasis in lymph node (s) 6 cm or less in greatest dimension, above the supraclavicular fossa |
N3 | Metastasis in a lymph node(s) |
• N3a | • greater than 6 cm in dimension |
• N3b | • extension to the supraclavicular fossa |
Distant Metastasis (M) | |
MX | Distant metastasis cannot be assessed |
M0 | No distant metastasis |
M1 | Distant metastasis |