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 mucosal melanoma tumors. **Note 2:** Mucosal melanomas are aggressive tumors, therefore, T1 and T2 are omitted, as are Stages I and II. **Note 3:** Assign T3 for localized tumor when no other information is available or for extension involving the mucosa only of adjacent sites. **Note 4:** Assign T4a or T4b for extension involving the deeper tissues of the primary or adjacent sites.NAACCR Item
NAACCR #880| Pathologic T | Pathologic T Display | Description | Registrar Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| pX | pTX | Primary tumor cannot be assessed# | Pathologic classification criteria met, evaluation done: Physician unable to assess T Surgical resection of primary tumor, extension not stated Physician assigns pTX, no other information available to determine T |
| p0 | pT0 | No evidence of primary tumor# | |
| p3 | pT3 | Tumor limited to the epithelium and/or submucosa (mucosal disease) | Tumor confined to mucosa of the following subsites: Anterior wall: Lingual (anterior surface of epiglottis) Vallecula One lateral wall Posterior wall Involvement of mucosa only: Anterior two-thirds of tongue Base of tongue Buccal mucosa (inner cheek) Floor of mouth Gum (gingiva) Hard palate Hypopharynx, NOS Larynx Nasopharynx Posterior surface of epiglottis Pyriform sinus Soft palate, inferior surface, including uvula Soft palate, superior (nasopharyngeal) surface Soft palate, NOS Localized, NOS Stated as T3 |
| p4 | pT4 | Not defined by UICC*# | Note: T4 has subcategories of T4a and T4b. Assign T4 only when there is no information available to assign one of the subcategories Tumor invades bone, nerve or extrinsic deep muscles Stated as T4[NOS] |
| p4A | pT4a | Tumor invades: Deep soft tissue Cartilage Bone Overlying skin |
Involvement of deep soft tissue or musculature of any structure in T3 WITH or WITHOUT fixation Mucosal involvement of hard palate Involvement of deep soft tissue or musculature of both lateral walls, soft palate, or base of tongue with contiguous involvement through all four sites Bone, NOS Bone excluding base of skull Cartilage, NOS Deep tissue or periosteum of hard palate Deep soft tissue or musculature of anterior tongue Lateral pterygoid muscle Maxilla Maxillary sinus (antrum) Nasal cavity Medial pterygoid muscle Overlying skin Palatine bone Parotid Gland Pterygoid plates Pterygoid muscle, NOS Soft tissue of neck, NOS Deep extrinsic muscles of tongue: Genioglossus Geniohyoid Hyoglossus Mylohyoid Palatoglossus Styloglossus Stated as T4a |
| p4B | pT4b | Tumor invades any of the following: Brain Dura Skull base Lower cranial nerves (IX, X, XI, XII) Masticator space Carotid artery Prevertebral space Mediastinal structures |
Prevertebral fascia/muscle WITH or WITHOUT involvement of both lateral walls through soft palate or base of tongue and WITH or WITHOUT involvement of anterior tongue or hard palate Bone of skull Carotid artery (encased) Stated as T4b |
| 88 | 88 | Not applicable | 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) |