Clinical 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:** The intrinsic muscles of tongue are four paired muscles within the tongue which control its shape. The extrinsic muscles originate from structures outside the tongue and control its positioning.NAACCR Item
NAACCR #940| Clinical T | Clinical T Display | Description | Registrar Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| cX | cTX | Primary tumor cannot be assessed# | Clinical classification criteria met, evaluation done: Physician unable to assess T Extension cannot be determined Physician assigns cTX, no other information available to determine T |
| c0 | cT0 | No evidence of primary tumor# | |
| c3 | cT3 | Tumor limited to the epithelium and/or submucosa (mucosal disease) | Tumor extension involving mucosa of: Anterior tongue Base of tongue Floor of mouth Gingiva, lower Lateral pharyngeal wall Retromolar trigone Soft palate, inferior surface Tonsillar pillars and fossae Tonsils Localized, NOS Stated as T3 |
| c4 | cT4 | 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] |
| c4A | cT4a | Tumor invades: Deep soft tissue Cartilage Bone Overlying skin |
Involvement of deep soft tissue or musculature of tongue Soft tissue, NOS Sublingual gland Involvement of deep soft tissue or musculature of any structure in T3 Bone, NOS excluding base of skull base Cortical bone, NOS Mandible Maxilla Maxillary sinus (antrum) Musculature of tongue, extrinsic: Genioglossus Geniohyoid Hyoglossus Mylohyoid Palatoglossus Styloglossus Skin of face Stated as T4a |
| c4B | cT4b | 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: Carotid artery (encased) Pterygoid plates 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 | Clinical classification criteria not met Clinical classification criteria met, evaluation done: No information about diagnostic workup Results not documented in record Clinical evaluation of primary tumor not done or unknown if done Tumor first detected on surgical resection (no clinical workup) Evidence of metastatic disease [(cM1) or (pM1)], no other workup Only Clinical Stage Group documented (no T, N, or M information available) |