The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) TNM system for salivary gland systems was revised with minor adjustments for extraglandular extension and facial nerve involvement.
Major differences from previous version:
(1) Subclassification with "a" and "b" removed.
(2) Extraglandular extension without involvement of the facial nerve was classified T3.
(3) Involvement of the facial nerve or base of the skull was classified T4.
Tumor locations:
(1) parotid gland
(2) submandibular gland
(3) sublingual gland
|
TNM Parameter |
Finding |
Designation |
|
T |
primary tumor cannot be assessed |
TX |
|
|
no evidence of primary tumor |
T0 |
|
|
carcinoma in situ |
Tis |
|
|
tumor <= 2 cm in maximum dimension |
T1 |
|
|
tumor > 2 cm and <= 4 cm in maximum dimension, without extraparenchymal extension |
T2 |
|
|
tumor > 4 cm and <= 6 cm in maximum dimension, and/or extraparenchymal extension without seventh nerve involvement |
T3 |
|
|
tumor > 6 cm in greatest dimension, or invasion of base of skull, or invasion of seventh nerve |
T4 |
|
N |
regional lymph nodes cannot be assessed |
NX |
|
|
no regional lymph node metastasis |
N0 |
|
|
metastasis to a single ipsilateral lymph node, <= 3 cm in maximum dimension |
N1 |
|
|
metastasis in a single ipsilateral, multiple ipsilateral, bilateral or contralateral lymph nodes, as listed below |
N2 |
|
|
metastasis in a single ipsilateral lymph node, > 3 cm and <= 6 cm in maximum dimension |
N2a |
|
|
metastasis in multiple ipsilateral lymph nodes, all <= 6 cm in maximum dimension |
N2b |
|
|
metastasis in bilateral or contralateral lymph nodes, all <= 6 cm in maximum dimension |
N2c |
|
|
metastasis to a lymph node > 6 cm in diameter |
N3 |
|
M |
presence of metastases cannot be assessed |
MX |
|
|
no distant metastasis |
M0 |
|
|
distant metastasis present |
M1 |
where:
• Extraglandular extension is based on gross appearance rather than a microscopic focus.
|
TNM Groups |
Stage |
|
T1 N0, M0 T2 N0, M0 |
I |
|
T3 N0 M0 |
II |
|
T1 or T2 N1 M0 |
III |
|
T4 N0 M0 T3 or T4, N1, M0 any T, N2, M0 any T, N3, M0 any T, any N, M1 |
IV |
Specialty: Hematology Oncology, Surgery, general, Otolaryngology
