TNM Definitions
AJCC Stage Groupings

The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) has designated staging by TNM classification.[1]

Primary tumor (T)

• TX: Primary tumor cannot be assessed
• T0: No evidence of primary tumor
• Tis: Carcinoma in situ
  • Ta: Noninvasive verrucous carcinoma
• T1: Tumor invades subepithelial connective tissue
• T2: Tumor invades corpus spongiosum or cavernosum
• T3: Tumor invades urethra or prostate
• T4: Tumor invades other adjacent structures

Regional lymph nodes (N)

• NX: Regional lymph nodes cannot be assessed
• N0: No regional lymph node metastasis
• N1: Metastasis in a single superficial, inguinal lymph node
• N2: Metastasis in multiple or bilateral superficial inguinal lymph nodes
• N3: Metastasis in deep inguinal or pelvic lymph node(s), unilateral or bilateral

Distant metastasis (M)

• MX: Distant metastasis cannot be assessed
• M0: No distant metastasis
• M1: Distant metastasis

Stage 0

• Tis, N0, M0
• Ta, N0, M0

Stage I

• T1, N0, M0

Stage II

• T1, N1, M0
• T2, N0, M0
• T2, N1, M0

Stage III

• T1, N2, M0
• T2, N2, M0
• T3, N0, M0
• T3, N1, M0
• T3, N2, M0

Stage IV

• T4, any N, M0
• Any T, N3, M0
• Any T, any N, M1

References

1. Penis. In: American Joint Committee on Cancer.: AJCC Cancer Staging Manual. 6th ed. New York, NY: Springer, 2002, pp 303-8.