Pathologic T

This input is used for staging

Notes

**Note 1:** Assign 88 for in situ cases (behavior code /2). TNM does not include an in situ category for thyroid tumors. **Note 2:** Per TNM, anaplastic carcinomas are assigned T4. **Note 3:** Tumor size must be known to assign a value of T1, T2 or T3. You may use a physician’s statement of the T category if this is the only information in the medical record. * If the tumor appears to be in the T1, T2 or T3 categories, but no size or category is specified, assign TX **Note 4:** Assign the appropriate T category (T1, T2 or T3) based on the tumor size for the following descriptions Single invasive tumor confined to thyroid Extension into thyroid capsule, but not beyond Multiple foci confined to thyroid Confined to thyroid, NOS Localized, NOS **Note 5:** Multifocal tumors of all histological types should be designated (m) (the largest determines the classification), e.g, T2. * Record the information regarding solitary vs. multifocal tumors in **Site-Specific Factor 1, Solitary vs Multifocal Tumor**

NAACCR Item

NAACCR #880
Pathologic T Pathologic T Display Description Registrar Notes
pX pTX Primary tumor cannot be assessed Note: Anaplastic tumors: Do not assign TX. See T4

Pathologic classification criteria met, evaluation done:
Physician unable to assess T
Surgical resection of primary tumor, extension not stated
Tumor size (TS) unknown for T categories where TS needed to determine T
Physician assigns pTX, no other information available to determine T

Confined to thyroid, histology not anaplastic, and size not known
p0 pT0 No evidence of primary tumor
p1 pT1 Tumor 2 cm or less in greatest dimension,
LIMITED to the thyroid
Note 1: T1 has subcategories of T1a and T1b. Assign T1 only when there is no information available to assign one of the subcategories

Note 2: T1 is not applicable for anaplastic tumors.

Stated as T1[NOS]
p1A pT1a Tumor 1 cm or less in greatest dimension,
LIMITED to the thyroid
Stated as T1a

Note: T1a is not applicable for anaplastic tumors.
p1B pT1b Tumor more than 1 cm but not more than 2 cm in greatest dimension,
LIMITED to the thyroid
Stated as T1b

Note: T1b is not applicable for anaplastic tumors.
p2 pT2 Tumor more than 2 cm but not more than 4 cm in greatest dimension,
LIMITED to the thyroid
Stated as T2

Note: T2 is not applicable for anaplastic tumors.
p3 pT3 Tumor more than 4 cm in greatest dimension
Limited to the thyroid

Any tumor with minimal extrathyroid extension
(e.g., extension to sternothyroid muscle or perithyroid soft tissues)
Stated as T3

Note: T3 is not applicable for anaplastic tumors.

Minimal extrathyroid extension including:
Strap muscle(s):
Omohyoid
Sternohyoid
Sternothyroid
Thyrohyoid

Pericapsular soft tissue/connective tissue
p4 pT4 Not defined by UICC*# Note 1: T4 has subcategories of T4a and T4b. Assign T4 only when there is no information available to assign one of the subcategories

Note 2: Anaplastic tumors: Assign T4, or one of its subcategories. Assign T4 [NOS] if no information available to assign T4a or T4b.

Tumor invades, bone, nerve or extrinsic deep muscles

Stated as T4[NOS]
p4A pT4a Tumor extends beyond the thyroid capsule and invades any of the following:
Subcutaneous soft tissues
Larynx
Trachea
Esophagus
Recurrent laryngeal nerve

(anaplastic carcinoma only) Tumor (any size) limited to the thyroid
Cricoid cartilage
Esophagus
Larynx
Nerves:
Recurrent laryngeal
Vagus
Parathyroid
Sternocleidomastoid muscle
Trachea

Stated as T4a
p4B pT4b Tumor invades:
Prevertebral fascia
Mediastinal vessels

Or encases carotid artery

(anaplastic carcinoma only) Tumor (any size) extends beyond the thyroid capsules
Bone
Blood vessel(s) (major):
Carotid artery (encased)
Jugular vein
Thyroid artery or vein
Skeletal muscle, other than strap or sternocleidomastoid muscle
Thyroid cartilage
Tumor described as ""FIXED to adjacent tissues""

Further contiguous extension including:
Mediastinal tissues
Prevertebral fascia

Stated as T4b
88 88 Not applicable Primary site/histology not TNM defined
In situ case but no pTis is defined by TNM
Death certificate only (DCO) case
<BLANK> BLANK See Registrar Notes Pathologic classification criteria not met
Pathologic classification criteria met, evaluation done:
Results not documented in patient record
No surgical resection of known primary tumor (not T0)
Resection insufficient for site-specific pathologic assessment
No surgical resection of primary tumor and there isn’t a positive biopsy of a structure in the highest T category and highest N category
Evidence of metastatic disease (pM1), no other workup
Only Pathologic Stage Group documented (no T, N, or M information available)
\* T4 [NOS] is not defined by UICC in the 7th edition. Approval has been provided by UICC to use "Tumor invades bone, nerve or extrinsic deep muscles" as T4 [NOS]. \# T4 [NOS] is not defined in AJCC 7th edition.