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 hard palate on one side Tumor confined to mucosa of hard palate and crossing midline Extension involving mucosa only: Buccal mucosa (inner cheek) Gingiva, upper Glossopalatine arch Pharyngopalatine arch Soft palate Uvula 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 tissue or periosteum of hard palate Involvement of deep tissue hard palate plus mucosal involvement of any structure in T3 Involvement of deep soft tissue or musculature of any structure in T3 Bone, NOS except base of skull Cartilage, NOS Cartilage of maxilla or palatine bone Cortical bone, NOS Cortical bone of maxilla or palatine bone Floor of nose Maxilla, NOS Maxillary sinus (antrum) Nasal cavity Nasopharynx Palatine bone, NOS Pterygoid plate Skin of face 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 |
Contiguous extension: Base of skull base (including sphenoid bone other than pterygoid plates) 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) |