Staging

Consult the AJCC Cancer Staging Manual 5th or 6th edition for detailed descriptions of the components and other staging guidelines.

Head and neck cancers are primarily staged clinically. All head and neck sites with the exception of thyroid use the same classification system for regional lymph nodes.

Brief Summaries of 6th Edition Categories

• Lip & Oral Cavity
• Pharynx
• Larynx
• Paranasal Sinuses
• Salivary Glands & Thyroid Gland

Regional Lymph Nodes (N)

Refer to the AJCC Cancer Staging Manual 5th or 6th edition for detailed descriptions of the regional lymph nodes.

Collaborative Stage Elements

For more details on Collaborative Stage, see the Intro to Collaborative Staging module.