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 salivary gland other tumors. **Note 2:** 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 3:** Assign the appropriate T category (T1, T2 or T3) based on the tumor size for the following descriptions Invasive tumor confined to gland/duct of origin Microscopic extraparenchymal extension ONLY to periglandular soft/connective tissue Confined to salivary gland, NOS Localized, NOS **Note 4:** Extraparenchymal extension is clinical or macroscopic evidence of invasion of soft tissues or nerve, except those listed under T4a and T4b. Microscopic evidence alone does not constitute extraparenchymal extension for classification purposes. **Note 5:** Periosteum is a fibrous membrane that wraps the outer surface of bones. Mucoperiosteum is a compound structure of mucous membrane and periosteum. Cortical bone is the dense compact outer layer of bone.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 Tumor size (TS) unknown for T categories where TS needed to determine T Physician assigns pTX, no other information available to determine T |
| p0 | pT0 | No evidence of primary tumor | |
| p1 | pT1 | Tumor 2 cm or less in greatest dimension WITHOUT extraparenchymal extension |
Stated as T1 |
| p2 | pT2 | Tumor more than 2 cm but not more than 4 cm in greatest dimension WITHOUT extraparenchymal extension |
Stated as T2 |
| p3 | pT3 | Tumor more than 4 cm and/or tumor WITH extraparenchymal extension |
Macroscopic extraparenchymal extension to: Periglandular soft/connective tissue Another major salivary gland (parotid, submandibular) Skeletal muscle: Digastric Pterygoid Stylohyoid Other extension: Facial artery or vein Maxillary artery Spinal accessory nerve 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: Skin Mandible Ear canal Facial nerve |
External auditory meatus Nerves: Facial (7th) Lingual Periosteum of mandible Skin Stated as T4a |
| p4B | pT4b | Tumor invades: Base of skull Pterygoid plates OR encases carotid artery |
Skull, NOS Further contiguous extension 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) |