TNM Classification (Lung Cancer)
The 7th edition of tumour, node, metastasis (TNM) for lung cancer contains a number of changes including the following:
- Addition of extra size cut points
- Reclassification of cases with additional tumour nodules
- Reclassification of cases with pleural or pericardial nodules/effusions
- M1 disease due to distant metastases has been reclassified as M1b
- Confirmed the utility of the TNM classification in small-cell lung cancer
- Inclusion of carcinoid tumors
- Provision of a new IASLC nodal chart
- The inclusion of precise definition of visceral pleural invasion (a T2 descriptor).
There are consequential changes to some stage groupings, which will have consequences for treatment algorithms.
Reference
Goldstraw P. The 7th Edition of TNM in Lung Cancer:: What Now? J. Thorac. Oncol. 2009; 4: 671-3.
