Future of the TNM classification and staging system in head and neck cancer |
| |
| Authors: | Robert P. Takes MD PhD Carl E. Silver MD Jay F. Piccirillo MD CPI Missak Haigentz Jr MD Carlos Suárez MD Vincent Van der Poorten MD PhD Robert Hermans MD PhD Juan Pablo Rodrigo MD PhD Kenneth O. Devaney MD JD FCAP |
| |
| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands;2. Departments of Surgery and Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY;3. Department of Otolaryngology, Internal Medicine, and Occupational Therapy, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO;4. Department of Medicine, Division of Oncology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY;5. Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain;6. Department of Otolaryngology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain;7. Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium;8. Department of Radiology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium;9. Department of Pathology, Allegiance Health, Jackson, MI |
| |
| Abstract: | Staging systems for cancer, including the most universally used TNM classification system, have been based almost exclusively on anatomic information. However, the question arises whether staging systems should be based on this information alone. Other parameters have been identified that should be considered for inclusion in classification systems like the TNM. This is all the more important, as a shift toward nonsurgical treatments for head and neck cancer has been made over the years. For these treatment modalities tumor/biologic characteristics next to anatomic information may be particularly important for treatment choice and outcome. The shortcomings of the current TNM classification system will be discussed, along with suggestions for improvement and expansion of the TNM system based on tumor, patient, and environment‐related factors. Further improvement of the TNM classification is expected to result in better treatment choices, outcome and prognostication of patients with head and neck cancer. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2010 |
| |
| Keywords: | TNM classification staging head and neck cancer prognostic factors |
|
|
