The science behind the 7th edition Tumour, Node, Metastasis staging system for lung cancer

The Tumour, Node, Metastasis (TNM) system for classifying lung cancer is the cornerstone of modern lung cancer treatment and underpins comparative research; yet is continuously evolving through updated revisions. The recently published Union for International Cancer Control 7th Edition TNM Classification for lung cancer addresses many of its predecessor's shortcomings and has been subject to rigorous evidence-based methodology. It is based on a retrospective analysis of over 80 000 lung cancer patients treated between 1990 and 2000 carried out by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer. The dataset was truly international and included patients treated by all modalities. Extensive internal and external validation of the findings has ensured that the recommendations are robust and generalizable. For the first time, a single classification system has been shown to be applicable not only to non-small cell lung cancer, but also to be of prognostic significance in small cell lung cancer and bronchopulmonary carcinoid tumours. We review the history of the Union for International Cancer Control TNM staging system, the changes in the most recent 7th edition and the strength of the scientific basis motivating these changes. Limitations of the current staging edition are explored, post-publication independent validation studies are reviewed, and the future of TNM staging for lung cancer is discussed.     

美国AJCC有关分化型甲状腺癌TNM分期更新内容的解读

甲状腺癌是内分泌系统发病率最高的恶性肿瘤,其中分化型甲状腺癌(DTC)最常见。肿瘤-淋巴结-转移(TNM)分期系统是目前国际上最为通用的肿瘤分期系统。2018年1月1日由美国癌症联合委员会(AJCC)制定的第8版肿瘤TNM分期开始实施。精准的肿瘤分期和风险分层对DTC患者预后具有重要意义。对比第7版分期,第8版进行了多...     

Comparison of the prognostic value of the 6th and 7th editions of the Union for International Cancer Control TNM staging system in patients with lower esophageal cancer undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery

Carcinoma of the esophagus is classified according to the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) TNM staging system. The 7th edition of the UICC TNM staging system was published in 2009. This is the first study to compare the prognostic value of the TNM 6th and 7th editions in patients with esophageal carcinoma treated with chemotherapy followed by surgery. Two hundred forty‐three patients with esophageal carcinoma were retrospectively selected from two referral centers. All patients received chemotherapy before surgery. Histopathologic data from the resection specimens were retrieved and restaged according to the TNM 7th edition. Disease‐specific survival curves were plotted for depth of tumor invasion (ypT), lymph node status (ypN), and ypTNM stage and then compared. Median follow‐up after surgery was 2.5 years (range 0.2–9 years). Survival analysis using the log‐rank method revealed that there was a significant difference in survival between ypT4 disease and ypT3 disease (P= 0.003), but no difference between ypT0, ypT1, ypT2, and ypT3 categories irrespective of TNM edition used. Survival probability was significantly different between ypN0 and ypN1 (P= 0.001 for TNM 6th and 7th edition), as well as ypN2 and ypN3 (TNM 7th edition, P= 0.004), but not between ypN1 and ypN2 (TNM 7th edition, P= 0.89). Neither the TNM 6th nor 7th edition T staging provides accurate survival probability stratification. However, the advantage of the 7th edition is the introduction of a third tier in survival stratification for patients with nodal involvement.     

Comparison of the sixth,seventh, and eighth editions of the American Joint Committee on Cancer Tumor-Node-Metastasis staging system for gastric cancer: A single institution experience

In 2018, the eighth edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer Tumor-Node-Metastasis classification and staging system was implemented. Few reports were made comparing the performance of different editions of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) system. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the prognostic predictability from the sixth to the eighth editions of the AJCC staging system for gastric cancer.A total of 414 patients with gastric cancer who underwent surgery at Changhua Christian Hospital from January 2007 to December 2017 were enrolled in the study. To identify the prognostic factors for gastric cancer death, univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. The homogeneity and discrimination abilities of the sixth to eighth editions of the staging system were compared using the likelihood ratio chi-square test, linear trend chi-square test, and Akaike information criterion.The sixth edition of the staging system had the lowest Akaike information criterion value, suggesting a better prognostic stratification than other editions. From the result of the likelihood ratio chi-square test, the T and N staging systems of the seventh and eighth editions had better homogeneity and discriminatory ability than the sixth edition. The eighth edition had better prognostic performance in patients at stage III compared with the seventh edition.The AJCC seventh and eighth editions had improved prognostic predictability of the T and N factors compared with the sixth edition. However, the overall staging performance of the eighth edition is not superior compared to the sixth edition. Further studies with larger sample size should be conducted to compare the performance of different editions of the AJCC staging system for different ethnic populations.