TNM classification of breast cancer stages

Preoperative examination of patients, the purpose of which is to choose the most appropriate method of treatment, is the subject of controversy among oncologists. In some centers, patients are widely screened using isotope scans of the bones, liver and brain, they also undergo x-ray examination of the skeleton, analyze tumor markers and measure the level of hydroxyproline in the urine.

However, today the point of view is widespread, according to which the most informative data is obtained by radiographic examination of the chest, carrying out a complete blood count and simple tests on the functional activity of the liver. This also includes abdominal ultrasound, in which special attention should be paid to the state of the liver.

In short, determining the stages of tumor development becomes important only for characterizing “early” breast cancer, thus distinguishing it from cases of a more common tumor process, whose surgical treatment seems unlikely. Increased skepticism regarding the role of routine (and expensive) research to determine the stage of tumor development led to their reduction.

There are several attempts to develop a simple system for assessing the stages of development of breast tumors. Most systems are based on indicators such as tumor size, the presence or absence of metastases in the axillary lymph nodes, and the presence of distant metastases.

The most common TNM system developed by the International Cancer Alliance is presented in the table below. In the future, it is probably advisable to include more detailed information in this system, taking into account the pathogenetic characteristics of tumor development stages, and the state of hormone receptors of tumor cells.