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Staging of Cervical Cancer
TNM System
Another staging system for cervical cancer is known as the TNM (tumor, node, metastasis) system.
T = Tumor - The "T" designation refers to the extent of invasion of the tumor into the cervix and nearby tissue and other organs. The extent of tumor invasion is scored on a numerical scale ranging from 1 to 4. In general, the higher the "T" score, the greater the extent of invasion of the tumor into the deeper layers of tissue.
N = Lymph Node Involvement - The second aspect of the TNM staging system measures whether or not the cancer has spread to the regional (nearby) lymph nodes and, if so, the size of the lymph nodes. The extent and size of lymph node involvement is scored on a numerical scale ranging from 0 to 3. In general, the higher the "N" score, the greater the extent of lymph node involvement.
M = Metastasis - The last feature that is evaluated by the TNM staging system is whether or not the cancer has metastasized (spread) to distant organs (e.g., lungs, abdominal cavity, pelvis, bladder) or to distant lymph nodes.
