Table 2.

Comparison of UICC and TNM classifications

Generic TNM coding for sentinel nodes

pNX (sn) Sentinel lymph node could not be assessed

pN0 (sn) No sentinel node metastasis

pN1 (sn) Sentinel node metastasis

Sentinel nodes with micrometastasis only are identified by (mi)

pN1 (sn) (mi) single ipsilateral node with micrometastasis

pN2 (sn) (mi) multiple ipsilateral nodes with micrometastasis

Sentinel nodes with isolated tumor cells are coded separately for morphological and nonmorphological techniques such as PCR or flow cytometry

pN0 (i−)(sn) No sentinel lymph node metastasis histologically, negative morphological findings for isolated tumor cells (ITC)

pN0 (i+)(sn) No sentinel lymph node metastasis histologically, positive morphological findings for isolated tumor cells (ITC)

pN0 (mol−)(sn) No sentinel lymph node metastasis histologically, negative nonmorphological findings for isolated tumor cells (ITC)

pN0 (mol+)(sn) No sentinel lymph node metastasis histologically, positive nonmorphological findings for isolated tumor cells (ITC)