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Skip Navigation Links > Home > About Cancer > TNM Staging
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TNM Staging System

In the TNM staging system, each type of cancer is assigned a "T" category, an "N" category and an "M" category. The letters in TNM staging represent the following:

  • T stands for Tumor. T staging gives details about the original tumor (the first tumor found, before spreading may have occurred).
    • TX means the tumor cannot be evaluated.
    • T0 means there is no evidence of an original tumor.
    • Tis means the cancer is "in situ," or, has not spread.
    • T1 through T4 describe the tumor size and status of spreading. The bigger the number, the worse the tumor is.
  • N stands for Nodes. N staging determines whether or not the cancer has spread into nearby lymph nodes .
    • NX means the nearby lymph nodes cannot be evaluated.
    • N0 means there is no evidence of cancer in the nearby lymph nodes.
    • N1 through N3 describe the status of the spreading into the lymph nodes (for instance, the location, size and number of lymph nodes affected). The higher the number, the worse the status of the lymph nodes.
  • M stands for Metastasis. M staging determines if the cancer has metastasized , or spread, beyond the lymph nodes into other parts of the body (also known as distant metastasis, or distant spreading).
    • MX means distant spreading cannot be evaluated.
    • M0 means there is no evidence of distant spreading.
    • M1 means distant spreading has been found.

Overall Cancer Stage

After the doctor determines the TNM staging of the cancer, he or she assigns an overall cancer stage of I, II, III or IV. For instance, breast cancer that is less than 2 cm in size and has not spread to the lymph nodes or other parts of the body would be categorized as T1, N0, M0 and considered stage 1 breast cancer.

The higher the overall cancer stage, the more advanced the cancer is.

The TNM staging classification system works differently in certain types of cancer, so talk to your doctor if you would like to learn more about cancer staging in your specific type of cancer.

TNM Staging Guide
T = Tumor
TX: Tumor cannot be evaluated
T0: No evidence of an original tumor
Tis: Cancer is "in situ," or, has not spread
T1-T4: Describe tumor size and status of spreading
N = Nodes
NX: Nearby lymph nodes cannot be evaluated
NO: The cancer has not spread to lymph nodes
N1-N3: Status of cancer spreading into lymph nodes
M = Metastasis
MX: Distant spread cannot be evaluated
MO: No evidence of distant spreading
M1: Distant spreading has been found
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US.DOC.06.11.020 Last update:  June 2007