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 submandibular gland 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 submandibular gland 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, sublingual)
Skeletal muscle:
Digastric
Genioglossus
Geniohyoid
Hyoglossus
Mylohyoid
Pterygoid
Styloglossus
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) nerve
Lingual nerve
Periosteum of mandible
Skin overlying gland

Stated as T4a
p4B pT4b Tumor invades:
Base of skull
Pterygoid plates

OR encases carotid artery
Blood vessels:
Carotid artery (encased)
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)
\* 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.