The stage of a cancer is used to determine prognosis and treatment. In general, early stage cancers have a better prognosis than late stage cancers. The TNM classification is used for staging esophageal cancer.
T is for tumor penetration through the wall of the esophagus or stomach.
T1 tumors invade just below the lining of the esophagus.
T2 tumors invade the muscular wall of the esophagus.
T3 tumors invade to the outer extent of the esophagus.
T4 tumors invade through the wall into adjacent structures such as the bronchus.
N is for lymph node status.
N0 means there are no lymph nodes involved.
N1 means there are regional lymph nodes involved.
M is for presence of metastases.
M0- no metastases.
M1-metastases are present.
What is staging for gastric cancer?
The stage of a cancer is used to determine prognosis and treatment. In general, early stage cancers have a better prognosis than late stage cancers. The TNM classification is used for staging gastric cancer.
Primary Tumor
T1 - The tumor starts in the mucosa (lining) of the wall of the stomach. At this stage the tumor is invading below the mucosa.
T2 - The tumor invades through the muscle but not to the outside surface of the wall of the stomach.
T3 - The tumor invades the outside lining (serosa) of the wall of the stomach.
T4 - The tumor invades outside the wall of the stomach and into adjacent organs or tissue.
Regional Lymph Nodes
N0 - No lymph nodes are involved.
N1 - Metastases in 1 to 6 regional lymph nodes.
N2 - Metastases in 7 to 15 regional lymph nodes.
N3 - Metastases in more than 15 regional lymph nodes.
Distant Metastases
M0 - No distant metastases
M1 - Distant metastases i.e. liver, lung or other organs.
Staging of Gastric Cancer
Stage IA
T1
N0
M0
StageIB
T1
N1
M0
T2
N0
M0
Stage II
T1
N2
M0
T2
N1
M0
T3
N0
M0
StageIIIA
T2
N2
M0
T3
N1
M0
T4
N0
M0
Stage IIIB
T3
N2
M0
Stage IV
T4
N1-3
M0
T1-3
N3
M0
Any T
Any N
M1
The staging is obviously complex. The treatment recommendations we will give each individual patient depend on our ability to accurately stage each individual’s tumor.
Virginia Piper Cancer Institute
Abbott Northwestern Hospital
800 East 28th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55407
612-863-0200
Source: Dr. Daniel Dunn
First published: 10/17/2005
Last updated: 10/17/2005
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