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:** 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 #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: Buccal mucosa Lateral pharyngeal wall Lip(s) including commissure Gingiva Hard palate Soft palate 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 cheek (buccinators) Bone, NOS excluding palatine bone, base of skull Cortical bone: Mandible Maxilla Deep soft tissue involvement: Nasal cavity Soft palate Maxillary sinus (antrum) Palatine bone Deep extrinsic muscle of tongue: Genioglossus Hyoglossus Palatoglossus Styloglossus 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 |
Further contiguous extension: 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) |