Clinical Staging System for Carcinoma of the Larynx - TNM System - Preface and General Staging Rules

Sep 21, 2026

Upload by Levi

Provides a revised clinical staging framework for carcinoma of the larynx, including background on prior (1962) methods, identified sources of error, and the specific corrections incorporated into the updated system. Defines the TNM system used to categorize primary tumor (T), regional lymph nodes (N), and distant metastasis (M), along with key designations such as carcinoma in situ and unassessable categories. Describes the AJCC process for developing site-specific staging classifications through task forces, retrospective data collection field trials, survival analyses, review by sponsoring organizations, and ongoing revision.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages20

Reading Time50 min

AccessFree to download

Clinical Staging System for Carcinoma of the Larynx

Table of Contents

Preface

The TNM System

American Joint Committee for Cancer Staging and End Results Reporting

# Clinical Staging SysolemRevisiom)Cancinoma o the arynPor 叠 A MERICAN JOINT COMMITTEEfor cancer staging and end results reporting July 1972 ## CLINICAL STAGING SYSTEM FOR CARCINOMA OF THE LARYNX TABLE OF CONTENTS ……………………………………2 Preface ………………… …………………………………3 The TNM System American Joint Committee for Cancer Staging …………………………………4 and End Results Reporting. ……………………………5 General Rules for Staging. Specific Considerations in Staging Carcinoma of the Larynx …………7 Definitions of the Anatomical Limits of the Larynx………………………8 ……………………………………9 Definitions of TNM Categories for Larynx …………………………………………………11 Summary of Results of Field Trial ……… Five-Year Survival by TNM Classification of Invasive Cancers of Glottic and Supraglottic Regions of Larynx…………12 Staging—Invasive Cancers of the Larynx…………………………………………13 Task Force on Carcinoma of the Larynx ………………………………………………………14 American Joint Committee for Cancer Staging and End Results Reporting—Membership, January,1972………………………15 Publications of the American Joint Committee for Cancer Staging and End Results Reporting……………………………………16 This project was supported in part by funds from the National Cancer Institute(grant series CA11606), and the American Can- cer Society(grant series MG-99). KC258 512 m20.2 1972~ ## PREFA CE The“Clinical Staging System for Cancer of the Larynx”waspublished in June,1962.As pointed out at that time,this stagingmethod was not intended to be a finalized report.In the ten yearsthat this staging method has been in use,a number of studies havesuggested error in the method.The American Joint Committee hasrestudied the problem,and this revision corrects those errors. The revised staging method follows the same format describedin 1962.Changes include: 1. The thyrohyoid membrane is recognized as one of the anteriorlimits of the larynx. 2. (Combining T1 and T2 of the 1962 version into T1(i.e.,tumorslimited to the region of origin rather than site of origin). 3.Tumors extending beyond the region of origin but still confinedto the larynx(the 1962 T3),as long as the larynx is not fixed,are changed to T2. 4.Those cases with fixation of the larynx are combined into anew T3 group 5. T4 remains the same 6.The description of the regional node status(N)is expanded toallow definition of palpable nodes in which cancer is notsuspected. 7.Provision is made for definition of bilateral,contralateral,and/or midline nodes. 8.The stage grouping is changed to limit Stage 2 to T2NOMO andto include those with fixation and/or extension beyond thelarynx with those with nonfixed node metastasis into Stage 3.Stage 4 is limited to those with fixed node metastasis ordistant metastasis. ## THE TNM SYSTE M The TNM system provides for the categorization of the primarylesion and the extent of involvement in assessment of malignantdisease.Specific criteria modify this system according to the ana-tomic site. Three capital letters are used:T-PRIMARY TUMOR N-REGIONAL LYMPH NODES M-DISTANT METASTASIS This classification is extended by the following designations: TUMOR:TO --No evidence of primary tumorTIS —Carcinoma in situ T1,T2,T3,T4—Ascending degrees of increase intumor size and involvementTX —Tumor cannot be assessed NODES:NO—Regional lymph nodes not demonstrableNla,N2a—Demonstrable regional lymph nodes,metastasis not suspected N1b,N2b,N3—Demonstrable regional lymph nodes,metastasis suspected NX-Regional lymph nodes cannot beassessed clinically METASTASIS:MO--No evidence of distant metastasis M1,M2,M3—Ascending degrees of metastaticinvolvement of the host,including distant nodes TNM assignments may be grouped into a small number ofstages.Stage grouping for each site is recommended on the basisof the specific field trials. ## AMERICAN JOINT COMMITTEE FOR CANCER STAGINGAND END RESULTS REPORTING The American Joint Committee for Cancer Staging and EndResults Reporting(AJCCS)was orga

FAQs

What was revised in the 1962 larynx staging method?

The revision corrects errors found in studies during the decade of use and updates definitions of anterior limits, T category groupings, and fixation-related grouping into a new T3. It also expands node (N) definitions and adjusts stage grouping boundaries.

How does the TNM system define T, N, and M?

T categorizes the primary tumor, N describes regional lymph nodes, and M indicates distant metastasis. The system uses additional designations such as TIS for carcinoma in situ and TX when the tumor cannot be assessed.

How does the American Joint Committee develop a site-specific staging classification?

A task force creates a protocol for retrospective data collection from hospital records via field trials, analyzes the data to develop a classification, compares survival with relevant factors, and submits the classification for review and approval by the AJCC and sponsoring agencies, followed by UICC review and publication. The classification is then continuously examined for revisions.

Sep 21, 2026

Upload by Levi