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 )
