Classification Scheme of Ho for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Group

Finding

Code

T

tumor confined to the nasopharynx

T1

extension to the nasal fossa, oropharynx, or adjacent muscles or nerves below the base of the skull

T2

beyond T2 limits

T3

N

no cervical nodes palpable

N0

node(s) wholly in the upper cervical level bounded below by the skin crease extending laterally and backward from or just below the thyroid notch (laryngeal eminence)

N1

node(s) palpable between the crease and the supraclavicular fossa, the upper limit being the line joining the upper margin of the sternal end of the clavicle and the apex of an angle formed by the lateral surface of the neck and the superior margin of the trapezius

N2

node(s) palpable in the supraclavicular fossa

N3

skin involvement in the form of carcinoma en cuirasse

N3

satellite nodules above the clavicles

N3

M

no hematogenous metastasis

M0

hematogenous metastasis present,

M1

lymph nodal metastasis below the clavicles

M1

Subclassifications of T2

Code

nasal fossa extension only

T2n

oropharyngeal extension only

T2o

parapharyngeal extension only

T2p

combination of the above

T2(n,o,p)

Subclassifications of T3

Code

bone involvement below the base of the skull, including the floor of the sphenoid sinus

T3a

involvement of the base of the skull

T3b

involvement of the cranial nerves

T3c

involvement of the orbits, laryngopharynx or infratemporal fossa

T3d

TNM Designation

Stage

T1 N0 M0

I

T1 N1 M0

T2 N0-1 M0

II

T1-T2 N2 M0

T3 N0-2 M0

III

T1-3 N3 M0

IV

T1-3 N0-3 M1

V