TNM Classification for Mucosal Melanoma of Head and Neck

The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) tumor/node/metastasis (TNM) classification for mucosal melanoma of the head and neck is provided below, along with anatomic staging.^{[1, 2]}

Table 1. TNM classification (Open Table in a new window)

Primary tumor (T)
T3	Tumors limited to the mucosa and immediately underlying soft tissue, regardless of thickness or greatest dimension; for example, polypoid nasal disease, pigmented or nonpigmented lesions of the oral cavity, pharynx, or larynx
T4	Moderately advanced or very advanced disease
T4a	Moderately advanced disease Tumor involving deep soft tissue, cartilage, bone, or overlying skin
T4b	Very advanced disease Tumor involving brain, dura, skull base, lower cranial nerves (IX, X, XI, XII), masticator space, carotid artery, prevertebral space, or mediastinal structures
Regional lymph nodes (N)
NX	Regional lymph nodes cannot be assessed
N0	No regional lymph node metastases
N1	Regional lymph node metastases present
Distant metastasis (M)
cM0	No distant metastasis
cM1	Distant metastasis
pM1	Distant metastasis, microscopically confirmed

Table 2. Anatomic stage/prognostic groups (Open Table in a new window)

Stage	T	N	M
III	T3	N0	M0
IVA	T4a	N0	M0
IVA	T3-T4a	N1	M0
IVB	T4b	Any N	M0
IVC	Any T	Any N	M1

Questions & Answers

Overview

What is the TNM classification for mucosal melanoma of the head and neck?

Media Gallery

of 0

Table 1. TNM classification

Primary tumor (T)
T3	Tumors limited to the mucosa and immediately underlying soft tissue, regardless of thickness or greatest dimension; for example, polypoid nasal disease, pigmented or nonpigmented lesions of the oral cavity, pharynx, or larynx
T4	Moderately advanced or very advanced disease
T4a	Moderately advanced disease Tumor involving deep soft tissue, cartilage, bone, or overlying skin
T4b	Very advanced disease Tumor involving brain, dura, skull base, lower cranial nerves (IX, X, XI, XII), masticator space, carotid artery, prevertebral space, or mediastinal structures
Regional lymph nodes (N)
NX	Regional lymph nodes cannot be assessed
N0	No regional lymph node metastases
N1	Regional lymph node metastases present
Distant metastasis (M)
cM0	No distant metastasis
cM1	Distant metastasis
pM1	Distant metastasis, microscopically confirmed