TNM Staging
Also written as: TNM — Tumour–Node–Metastasis
The internationally standardized tumour classification system used in oral pathology and oncology reports, denoting Tumour size (T), regional lymph Node involvement (N), and distant Metastasis (M).
Full Definition
TNM staging is the universally adopted system for classifying malignant neoplasms, developed jointly by the UICC and AJCC. In oral and maxillofacial oncology, it assigns a T category (T1–T4) based on tumour size and depth of invasion (DOI), an N category (N0–N3) based on regional lymph node status, and an M category (M0–M1) based on the presence of distant metastasis. The 8th edition of the AJCC Cancer Staging Manual introduced depth of invasion as a criterion for T-category upstaging of oral cavity cancers. Editors must verify correct italicisation and capitalisation of 'TNM' and ensure staging notation follows the current edition being cited.
Usage
Usage note: Always specify the edition of the AJCC/UICC manual being used. In British-English documents, use 'tumour'; in American-English documents, use 'tumor.' Do not mix T, N, M designations from different staging editions within the same report.
In Context
- "The pathology report documented the OSCC as T2 N1 M0 per the AJCC 8th edition TNM staging criteria." — Oncology pathology report
- "The editor confirmed that the manuscript consistently applied 8th edition TNM criteria and had not mixed classifications from different editions." — Journal manuscript review