Onkológia 1/2010

The 7th Edition of TNM classification in Lung Cancer – August 2009

The 7th edition of TNM classification of lung cancer was published in August 2009. Changes in classification comprise the primary tumor – T descriptor, and metastases – M descriptor. Primary tumor has five size categories, boundaries are 2, 3, 5 a 7 cm. The other changes in T descriptor are: reclassification of tumor with additional nodules in the same lobe as the primary to T3 (in 6th edition T4), reclassification of tumor with additional nodules in the ipsilateral lung to T4 (in 6th edition M1), reclassification tumor with pleural effusion to M1a (in 6th edition T4). The classification of metastases – category M1 is divided according to survival differences into two categories M1a and M1b. M1a means separate nodule(s) in contralateral lung, tumor with pleural nodules or malignant pleural or pericardial effusion. M1b means distant metastases.

Keywords: TNM classification, lung cancer, carcinoid of the lung