Table 2.
Primary Tumor (T)
| |
TX | Primary tumor cannot be assessed |
T0 | No evidence of primary tumor |
T1 | Tumor ≤ 2 cm, limited to the thyroid |
T1a | Tumor ≤ 1 cm, limited to the thyroid |
T1b | Tumor >1 cm but < 2 cm, limited to the thyroid |
T2 | Tumor >2 cm but < 4 cm, limited to the thyroid |
T3 | Tumor > 4 cm, limited to the thyroid or minimal extrathyroid extension (sternothyroid or perithyroid soft tissues) |
T4a * | Tumor of any size extending beyond thyroid capsule to invade subcutaneous soft tissues, larynx, trachea, esophagus, or recurrent laryngeal nerve |
T4b | Tumor invades prevertebral fascia or incases carotid artery or mediastinal vessels |
| |
Regional Lymph Nodes (N)
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NX | Regional lymph nodes cannot be assessed |
N0 | No regional lymph node metastasis |
N1 | Regional lymph nodes metastasis |
N1a | Metastasis to Level VI lymph nodes |
N1b | Metastasis to unilateral, bilateral, or contralateral cervical [levels I, II, III, IV, or V) or superior mediastinal (level VII) lymph nodes |
| |
Distant Metastasis (M)
| |
M0 | No distant metastasis |
M1 | Distant metastasis |
STAGE GROUPING: | |
| |
Differentiated Cancers& < 45 years old
| |
Stage I | Any T Any N M0 |
Stage II | Any T Any N M1 |
| |
Differentiated Cancer ≥ 45 years old
| |
Stage I | T1 N0 M0 |
Stage II | T2 N0 M0 |
Stage III | T3 N0 M0 |
T1 N1a M0 | |
T2 N1a M0 | |
T3 N1a M0 | |
Stage IVA | T4a N0 M0 |
T4a N1a M0 | |
T1 N1b M0 | |
T2 N1b M0 | |
T3 N1b M0 | |
T4a N1b M0 | |
Stage IVB | T4b Any N M0 |
Stage IVC | Any T Any N M1 |
| |
Medullary Carcinoma
| |
Stage I | T1 N0 M0 |
Stage II | T2 N0 M0 |
T3 N0 M0 | |
Stage III | T1 N1a M0 |
T2 N1a M0 | |
T3 N1a M0 | |
Stage IVA | T4a N0 M0 |
T4a N1a M0 | |
T1 N1b M0 | |
T2 N1b M0 | |
T3 N1b M0 | |
T4a N1b M0 | |
Stage IVB | T4b Any N M0 |
Stage IVC | Any T Any N M1 |
| |
Anaplastic Carcinomas
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| |
Stage IVA | T4a Any N M0 |
Stage IVB | T4b Any N M0 |
Stage IVC | Any T Any N M1 |
AJCC TNM Staging Manual, 7th ed., 2010
All anaplastic tumors are considered T4 tumors
Papillary and follicular carcinomas are considered differentiated thyroid cancers
A11 anaplastic carcinomas are considered Stage IV