Understanding Neoplasia - Behaviour - Staging of malignancy (TNM)

9 important questions on Understanding Neoplasia - Behaviour - Staging of malignancy (TNM)

What is the TNM staging of malignancy?

It is a way to determine the extent and severity of malignant neoplasia. It uses primary tissue's invasion (T), whether they have spread to the local lymph nodes (N), and whether there is metastasis of the neoplastic cells (M)

Describe stage 0 of TNM

Non invasive (T), not spread to lymph nodes (N), no metastases (M)

Describe stage 1 of TNM

Shallow invasion (T), not spread to lymph nodes (N), no metastases (M)
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Describe stage 2 of TNM

Deep invasion (T), not spread to lymph nodes (N), no metastases (M)

Describe stage 3 of TNM

Spread to lymph nodes (N), no metastases (M). Does not matter how invasive the carcinoma is on the primary tissue.

Describe stage 4 of TNM

Metastases (M) present, not every cancer type spreads to lymph nodes before metastasizing. Does not matter how invasive the carcinoma is on the primary tissue.

What are some neoplasms in which we use the modified TNM systems?

In feline mammary carcinoma, despite cancer not having spread to lymph nodes, if the tumor is large enough it is considered stage 3

Which criteria do we grade in grading of neoplasia?

  1. Rate of proliferation
  2. Atypia
  3. Aneuploidy
  4. Local behaviour (growth, necrosis, invasion)

Which tumor types do not need grading?

Osteosarcomas and hemangiosarcomas, as grading them does not predict outcome

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