TNM Classification and Staging for Carcinoma of the Vulva

Description

A carcinoma of the vulva can be staged using the TNM classification system.

Group	Description	Code
T	primary tumor cannot be assessed	TX
	no evidence of primary tumor	T0
	carcinoma in situ, VIN III	Tis
	tumor confined to the vulva and perineum, measuring <= 2 cm in maximum dimension • <= 1 mm stromal invasion • > 1 mm stromal invasion	T1 T1a T1b
	tumor confined to the vulva and perineum, measuring > 2 cm in maximum dimension	T2
	tumor of any size with adjacent spread to the lower urethra, vagina or anus	T3
	tumor invades into the upper urethral mucosa, bladder mucosa, rectal mucosa or is fixed to pelvic bone	T4
N	regional lymph nodes cannot be assessed	NX
	no regional lymph node metastasis	N0
	unilateral regional lymph node metastasis	N1
	bilateral regional lymph node metastasis	N2
M	presence of distant metastasis cannot be assessed	MX
	no definite metastasis	M0
	distant metastasis present, including metastasis to pelvic lymph nodes	M1

where:

• The depth of stromal invasion is measured from (a) the epithelial stromal junction of the adjacent and most superficial dermal papilla, to (b) the deepest point of invasion.

• Regional lymph nodes are the inguinal and femoral lymph nodes.

TNM	Stage
Tis N0 M0	0
T1a N0 M0	IA
T1b N0 M0	IB
T2 N0 M0	II
T1-2 N1 M0 T3 N0-1 M0	III
T1-3 N2 M0 T4 N0-2 M0	IVA
T1-4 N0-2 M1	IVB

NOTE: This classification is not used for malignant melanomas.

To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.

TNM Classification and Staging for Carcinoma of the Vulva

Description

Specialty