TNM Staging lung cancer – Flashcards

refers to the size and extent of the main tumor. The main tumor is usually called the primary tumor

the number of nearby lymph nodes that have cancer

refers to whether the cancer has metastasized

the main cancer (primary) can't be assessed. It doesn't show on scans but there might be cancer cells present in spit or in fluid taken from the lung

there is no sign of cancer.

(tumour in situ) : an area of cancer cells contained within the inner lining of the lungs

the cancer is contained within the lung. It is divided according to the diameter of the cancer. T1a means the cancer is 1cm or less at its widest part. T1b means the cancer is between 1cm and 2cm across. T1c means the cancer is between 2 and 3 cm across.

can mean different things. The cancer is between 3cm and 5cm across (golf ball is 4.11 - 4.27 cm) Or the cancer has one or more of the following features: it involves the main bronchus but is not close to the area where the bronchus divides to go into each lung it involves the visceral pleura part or all of the lung has collapsed or is blocked due to inflammation T2 is divided into T2a and T2b. T2a means the cancer is between 3cm and 4cm. T2b means the cancer is between 4cm and 5cm.

can mean different things. The cancer is between 5cm to 7cm (tennis ball is 6.54 - 6.86 cm) Or there is more than one tumour in the same lobe of the lung. Or the cancer has grown into one or more of these structures: the chest wall (the structures around the lungs, such as ribs, muscles, cartilage, or the diaphragm) the nerve close to the lung (phrenic nerve) the outer covering of the heart (the pericardium)

can mean different things. The cancer is bigger than 7cm. Or it is in more than one lobe of the lung. Or it has spread into one or more of the following structures: the diaphragm, the mediastinum, the heart, a major blood vessel, trachea, the nerve that controls the voice box, the oesophagus, a spinal bone, the area where the main airway divides to go to each lung

means that the lymph nodes can't be assessed

means that the lymph nodes don't contain cancer cells

means there are cancer cells in lymph nodes within the lung or in lymph nodes in the area where the lungs join the airway (the hilum

means there is cancer in lymph nodes: in the centre of the chest (mediastinum) on the same side as the affected lung or just under where the windpipe branches off to each lung

means there is cancer in lymph nodes: on the opposite side of the chest from the affected lung or above the collar bone or at the top of the lung

There are 2 stages of metastasis

means the cancer hasn't spread to another lobe of the lung or any other part of the body

means the cancer has spread to other areas of the body. It is split into M1a, M1b and M1c

means one or more of the following: there is cancer in both lungs there are areas of cancer around the heart or in the lining around the lung there is fluid around the lung or heart that contains cancer cells - this is called a malignant pleural effusion or a pericardial effusion

means that there is a single area of cancer outside the chest in an organ (such as the liver or brain) or a lymph node

means that there is more than one area of cancer in one or several organs