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 extension involving mucosa of: Buccal mucosa (inner cheek) Floor of mouth Hard palate Lateral pharyngeal wall Lip, NOS (labial mucosa) Lower lip (labial mucosa) Soft palate including uvula Tongue mucosa Lateral pharyngeal wall Tonsillar pillars and fossae Tonsils Upper gingiva Extension via mucosa to upper lip (labial mucosa) 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 lower gum Bone, NOS except mandible, base of skull Cortical bone of maxilla or palatine bone Deep soft tissues or musculature of upper lip Facial muscle, NOS Maxilla, NOS Maxillary sinus (antrum) Nasal cavity Palatine bone, NOS Skin of face Subcutaneous soft tissue of face Extrinsic muscle of tongue: Genioglossus Hyoglossus Palatoglossus Styloglossus Cartilage of mandible Cortical bone of mandible Mandible, NOS 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 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 | 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) |