TNM staging for lung cancer

The stage of a cancer tells you how big it is and how far it has spread. It helps your doctor decide the best treatment for you.

TNM system stands for Tumour, Node and Metastasis. It is the most common way to stage lung cancer. Doctors may also use the number system.

A simpler and older staging system is sometimes used for staging small cell lung cancer. It describes the cancer as limited disease or extensive disease. The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) now recommends using the TNM system to stage both small and non small cell lung cancer.

Tumour (T)

Tumour describes the size of the tumour (area of cancer). This is a simplified description of the T stage.

There are 4 categories – T1 to T4.

TX means the main cancer (primary) can’t be assessed. It doesn't show on scans but there might be cancer cells present in spit or in fluid taken from the lung.

T0 means there is no sign of cancer.

Tis means an area of cancer cells contained within the inner lining of the lungs.

T1

T1 means the cancer is contained within the lung.

T1mi is a staging description for a type of non small cell lung cancer called adenocarcinoma. It means minimally invasive adenocarcinoma. The cancer is no more than 3cm at its widest part. It’s grown no further than 0.5cm into deeper lung tissue.

It is divided into T1a, T1b, and T1c according to the diameter of the cancer.

T1a means the cancer is 1cm or less at its widest part.

T1b means the cancer is between 1cm and 2cm across.

T1c means the cancer is between 2 and 3 cm across.

T2

T2 can mean different things.

The cancer is between 3cm and 5cm across.

Or the cancer has one or more of the following features:

  • it involves the main airway (the main bronchus) but is not close to the area where the bronchus divides to go into each lung
  • it involves the inner lining of the chest cavity (the visceral pleura)
  • part or all of the lung has collapsed or is blocked due to inflammation

T2 is divided into T2a and T2b.

T2a means the cancer is between 3cm and 4cm.

T2b means the cancer is between 4cm and 5cm.

T3

T3 can mean different things.

The cancer is between 5cm to 7cm.

Or there is more than one tumour in the same lobe of the lung.

Or the cancer has grown into one or more of these structures:

  • the chest wall (the protective structure around the lungs and other organs in the chest)
  • the outer lining of the chest cavity (the parietal pleura)
  • the nerve close to the lung (phrenic nerve)
  • the outer covering of the heart (the pericardium)

T4

T4 can mean different things.

The cancer is bigger than 7cm.

Or it is in more than one lobe of the lung.

Or it has spread into one or more of the following structures:

  • the muscle below the lungs (the diaphragm)
  • the area between the lungs in the middle of the chest (the mediastinum)
  • the heart
  • a major blood vessel
  • the wind pipe (trachea)
  • the nerve that controls the voice box
  • the food pipe (oesophagus)
  • a spinal bone
  • the area where the main airway divides to go to each lung

Node (N)

Node (N) describes whether the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes.

NX means that the lymph nodes can’t be assessed.

N0 means that the lymph nodes don’t contain cancer cells.

N1

N1 means there are cancer cells in lymph nodes within the lung or in lymph nodes in the area where the lungs join the airway (the hilum).

N2

N2 means there is cancer in lymph nodes:

  • in the centre of the chest (mediastinum) on the same side as the affected lung or
  • just under where the windpipe branches off to each lung

N3

N3 means there is cancer in lymph nodes:

  • on the opposite side of the chest from the affected lung or
  • above the collar bone or
  • at the top of the lung

Metastasis (M)

Metastasis (M) describes whether the cancer has spread to a different part of the body.

M0 and M1

There are 2 stages of metastasis – M0 and M1.

M0 means the cancer hasn’t spread to another lobe of the lung or any other part of the body.

M1 means the cancer has spread to other areas of the body. It is split into M1a, M1b and M1c. 

M1a means one or more of the following:

  • there is cancer in both lungs
  • there are areas of cancer in the lining around the lung or the lining around the heart
  • there is fluid around the lung or heart that contains cancer cells – this is called a malignant pleural effusion or a malignant pericardial effusion

M1b means that there is a single area of cancer outside the chest in an organ (such as the liver or brain) or a lymph node.

M1c means that there is more than one area of cancer in one or several organs.

Treatment

The stage of your cancer helps your doctor to decide which treatment you need. Treatment also depends on:

  • your type of cancer (the type of cells the cancer started in)
  • any gene mutations your lung cancer cells might have
  • where the cancer is 
  • how well you are (your performance status Open a glossary item)
  • other health conditions that you have

The stage of the cancer and these other factors can also give an idea of your outlook (prognosis).

Treatment might include one or more of the following:

  • chemotherapy
  • radiotherapy
  • chemoradiation – chemotherapy with radiotherapy
  • surgery – to remove part or all of your lung
  • targeted cancer drugs
  • immunotherapy
  • radiofrequency ablation
  • photodynamic therapy
  • symptom control treatment

Research and clinical trials

Doctors are always trying to improve the results of treatment and reduce side effects. They might offer you treatment as part of a clinical trial.

  • AJCC Cancer Staging Manual (8th edition)
    American Joint Committee on Cancer
    Springer, 2017

  • Lung cancer: diagnosis and management

    National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, March 2019 (updated September 2022)

  • Pathobiology and staging of small cell carcinoma of the lung

    UpToDate website

    Accessed, January 2023

  • Small cell lung cancer

    BMJ Best Practice

    Accessed, January 2023

Last reviewed: 
03 Jan 2023
Next review due: 
03 Jan 2026

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