TNM Definitions for Bladder Cancer*
Feature | Definition |
|---|---|
Primary tumor | |
Ta | Noninvasive papillary carcinoma |
Tis | Flat tumors (carcinoma in situ [CIS]) |
T1 | Invades subepithelial connective tissue |
T2 | Invades muscle |
T2a | Invades superficial muscle (inner half) |
T2b | Invades deep muscle (outer half) |
T3 | Invades perivesical tissue |
T3a | Invades perivesical tissue microscopically |
T3b | Invades perivesical tissue macroscopically (extravesical mass) |
T4 | Invades adjacent organs |
T4a | Invades prostate, seminal vesicles, uterus, or vagina |
T4b | Invades pelvic or abdominal wall |
Regional lymph node metastasis | |
NX | Not assessable |
N0 | No lymph node metastases |
N1 | Single node in true pelvis |
N2 | ≥ 2 nodes in true pelvis |
N3 | ≥ 1 common iliac node |
Distant metastasis | |
M0 | No distant metastases |
M1a | Present in nodes distant to common iliacs |
M1b | Non-nodal metastases |
* Data adapted from American Cancer Society, Bladder Cancer Stages. Accessed September 10, 2023. | |
TNM = tumor, node, metastasis. | |