TNM Classification for Breast Carcinoma

TNM Classification for Breast Carcinoma

TNM Classification is developed and maintain by UICC ( Union for International Cancer Control ) and it used to classify tumors by anatomical stage. This classification help to determine in management and prognosis.

Tumor

• T1       Up to              2 cm Greatest dimension
• T2       Between         2-5 cm Greatest dimension
• T3       More than      5 cm Greatest dimension
• T4       Any size tumor
• T4 a        attached to the chest wall
• T4 b        attached to the skin
• T4 c        attached to the chest wall and skin
• T4 d        mastitis carcinomatosis / inflammatory carcinoma

Nodes

• N 0      No palpable axillary lymph nodes
• N 1      Mobile axillary nodes
• N 2      Fixed axillary nodes
• N 3      Internal mammary chain nodes are palpable

Metastases

• M 0     No radiological or clinical evidence of distant metastasis
• M 1     Distant metastasis are present
• M x     Distant metastasis can not be assessed 

          Breast carcinoma is a systemic disease. It has metastasis from the beginning. But it can not assess due to small size (<0.2mm )