TNMsüsteemil

The TNM system is a widely used staging system in cancer medicine, designed to describe the extent of a cancer in the body. It is an acronym for Tumor (T), Node (N), and Metastasis (M), each representing a different aspect of the cancer's spread. The TNM system is used to classify cancers and guide treatment decisions, as well as to compare outcomes across different types of cancer.

The Tumor (T) category describes the size of the primary tumor and its extent within the organ of origin. It is typically divided into stages, such as T1, T2, T3, and T4, with T1 representing the smallest tumor and T4 representing the largest. The specific criteria for each stage can vary depending on the type of cancer.

The Node (N) category describes the involvement of regional lymph nodes. It is usually divided into stages such as N0, N1, N2, and N3, with N0 indicating no lymph node involvement and N3 indicating the most extensive involvement.

The Metastasis (M) category describes the presence or absence of distant metastasis. It is divided into two stages: M0, indicating no distant metastasis, and M1, indicating the presence of distant metastasis.

The TNM system is used to create a staging classification for each cancer type, which can then be used to predict prognosis, guide treatment decisions, and compare outcomes across different studies. The staging classification is typically represented by a combination of the T, N, and M categories, such as T2N1M0, which would indicate a tumor of stage T2, nodal involvement of stage N1, and no distant metastasis (M0).

The TNM system is continually updated and refined as new research and data become available, ensuring that it remains a valuable tool for cancer care and research.