Topic Highlight
Copyright ©2007 Baishideng Publishing Group Co.
World J Gastroenterol. Jul 28, 2007; 13(28): 3799-3805
Published online Jul 28, 2007. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v13.i28.3799
Table 2 TNM staging system for colon cancer[57]
Tumour stage (T)Nodal stage (N)Metastasis (M)
XPrimary tumour can not be assessedNodal metastasis can not be assessedDistant metastasis can not be assessed
0No primary tumor identifiedNo nodal metastasisNo distant metastases
isCarcinoma in situ (tumour limited to mucosa
1Involvement of submucosa, but no penetration through muscularis propria1-3 pericolic/ perirectal nodes involved.Distant metastases
2Invasion into, but not penetration through, muscularis propria4 or more pericolic/ perirectal nodes involved
3Penetration through muscularis propria in o subserosa (if present), or pericolic fat, but not into peritoneal cavity or other organs.
4Invasion of other organs or involvement of free peritoneal cavity