Pathologic T
This input is used for staging
Notes
**Note 1:** Parapharyngeal involvement denotes postero-lateral infiltration of tumor beyond the pharyngobasilar fascia. The pharyngobasilar fascia is the fibrous layer of the pharyngeal wall between the mucosa and the muscular layer, attached superiorly to the basilar part of the occipital bone and diminishing in thickness as it descends. **Note 2:** The masticator space primarily consists of the muscles of mastication, the medial and lateral pterygoid, masseter, and temporalis muscles. The space also includes the ramus of the mandible and the third division of cranial nerve V as it passes through the foramen ovale into the suprahyoid neck.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 | |
| pIS | pTis | Carcinoma in situ | Intraepithelial, noninvasive Stated as Tis |
| p1 | pT1 | Tumor confined to nasopharynx, OR extends to oropharynx and/or nasal cavity |
Invasive tumor confined to one of the following subsites: Inferior wall (superior surface of soft palate) One lateral wall Posterior superior wall (vault) Involvement of two or more subsites: Lateral wall extending into eustachian tube/middle ear Posterior, inferior, or lateral wall(s) Oropharynx Soft palate, inferior surface including uvula WITHOUT parapharyngeal extension Nasal cavity WITHOUT parapharyngeal extension Extension to soft tissue, NOS (excluding soft tissue of neck) Confined to nasopharynx Localized, NOS Stated as T1 |
| p2 | pT2 | Tumor with parapharyngeal extension | Involvement of any T1 tumor: WITH fixation or tumor described only as FIXED WITH parapharyngeal extension Pterygopalatine fossa WITHOUT bone invasion Stated as T2 |
| p3 | pT3 | Tumor invades bony structures of skull base and/or paranasal sinuses | Bone, NOS Bony structures of skull base Cartilage, NOS Floor of orbit Hard palate Paranasal sinus Stated as T3 |
| p4 | pT4 | Tumor with intracranial extension and/or involvement of: Cranial nerves Hypopharynx Orbit OR with extension to the infratemporal fossa/masticator space |
Brain Cranial nerve involvement Hypopharynx Infratemporal fossa/masticator space Intracranial extension, NOS Orbit except bone of floor of orbit Further contiguous extension including: Soft tissues of neck Stated as T4 |
| 88 | 88 | Not applicable | Primary site/histology not TNM defined 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) |