Bladder Cancer PDF Print E-mail
TNM Definitions

Primary tumor (T)

  • TX: Primary tumor cannot be assessed
  • T0: No evidence of primary tumor
  • Ta: Noninvasive papillary carcinoma
  • Tis: Carcinoma in situ (i.e., flat tumor)
  • T1: Tumor invades subepithelial connective tissue
  • T2: Tumor invades muscle
    • pT2a: Tumor invades superficial muscle (inner half)
    • pT2b: Tumor invades deep muscle (outer half)
  • T3: Tumor invades perivesical tissue
    • pT3a: Microscopically
    • pT3b: Macroscopically (extravesical mass)
  • T4: Tumor invades any of the following: prostate, uterus, vagina, pelvic wall, or abdominal wall
    • T4a: Tumor invades the prostate, uterus, vagina
    • T4b: Tumor invades the pelvic wall, abdominal wall

 [Note: The suffix “m” should be added to the appropriate T category to indicate multiple lesions. The suffix “is” may be added to any T to indicate the presence of associated carcinoma in situ.]

Regional lymph nodes (N)

  • NX: Regional lymph nodes cannot be assessed
  • N0: No regional lymph node metastasis
  • N1: Metastasis in a single lymph node 2 cm or smaller in largest dimension
  • N2: Metastasis in a single lymph node larger than 2 cm but 5 cm or smaller in largest dimension; or multiple lymph nodes 5 cm or smaller in largest dimension
  • N3: Metastasis in a lymph node larger than 5 cm in largest dimension

Distant metastasis (M)

  • MX: Distant metastasis cannot be assessed
  • M0: No distant metastasis
  • M1: Distant metastasis
AJCC Stage Groupings

Stage 0a

  • Ta, N0, M0

Stage 0is

  • Tis, N0, M0

Stage I

  • T1, N0, M0

Stage II

  • T2a, N0, M0
  • T2b, N0, M0

Stage III

  • T3a, N0, M0
  • T3b, N0, M0
  • T4a, N0, M0

Stage IV

  • T4b, N0, M0
  • Any T, N1, M0
  • Any T, N2, M0
  • Any T, N3, M0
  • Any T, any N, M1