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SEER Training Modules
11/27/12 - The NCI is working on updating materials.

Tumor Size & Categories

T (Tumor Size)

Code Description
TX Minimum requirements to assess the primary tumor cannot be met
T0 No evidence of primary tumor
TIS Carcinoma in situ
T1, T2, T3, T4 Progressive increase in tumor size or involvement

T Categories

  1. Hollow Organs

    Depth of invasion through wall of organ. Usually includes terms like submucosa, muscularis, and wall. T4 usually lists adjacent structures. Requires pathologic assessment of tumor to determine depth of invasion.

    1. Esophagus
    2. Stomach
    3. Small Intestine
    4. Colon/Rectum
    5. Gallbladder, bile ducts
    6. Ampulla of Vater
    7. Corpus uteri
    8. Penis
    9. Bladder
    10. Renal pelvis, Ureter, Urethra
    11. Fallopian Fube
    Also: Malignant Melanoma
  2. Parenchymal and other Organs
    1. Size of primary tumor. Involves measuring the primary clinically or pathologically. Sometimes involves counting the number of tumors or nodules. T3 and T4 usually list adjacent structures.
      1. Lip and oral cavity
      2. Oropharynx
      3. Salivary glands
      4. Thyroid (stage grouping also requires histology and age of patient)
      5. Anus and anal canal
      6. Liver
      7. Sarcoma (stage grouping based primarily on grade of tumor)
      8. Skin (basal and squamous cell)
      9. Breast
      10. Kidney
      11. Brain (no scheme available in TNM)
      12. Eyelid (carcinoma)
      13. Conjunctiva
      14. Uvea (Choroid, Ciliary Body, and Iris)
      15. Retina
      16. Orbit (sarcoma)
      17. Lacrimal gland
      18. Wilms' Tumor
      19. Neuroblastoma
    2. Location of tumor and extension of primary. Requires knowledge of relationship of anatomic structures in and near the primary. Can be clinical or pathological.
      1. Hypopharynx, nasopharynx
      2. Larynx
      3. Paranasal sinus
      4. Pancreas
      5. Lung
      6. Pleural mesothelioma
      7. Bone
      8. Cervix uteri
      9. Ovary
      10. Vagina, Vulva
      11. Prostate
      12. Testis
      13. Malignant lymphoma and Hodgkin's disease
      14. Conjunctiva (melanoma)
      15. Retinoblastoma