Mucosal Melanoma of Head and Neck Staging

Updated: Mar 22, 2020
  • Author: Marvaretta M Stevenson, MD; Chief Editor: Guy J Petruzzelli, MD, PhD, MBA, FACS  more...
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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

T3-T4a

N1

M0

IVB

T4b

Any N

M0

IVC

Any T

Any N

M1

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