TNM CLASSIFICATION

Abstract

Stage classification of cancer is a method for objectively describing the status of a tumor. For more than 30 years, the TNM classification system was applied on various kind of malignant neoplasms, whose basic principles were: 1) applicability to all anatomic sites; 2) independence from treatment, and 3) susceptibility to further modification on the basis of information supplied by surgery and histopathological description.
Thus far, TNM classification system has made a great contribution to 1) aid the clinician in the planning of treatment; 2) give some indication of prognosis; 3) assist in evaluation of the results of treatment; 4) facilitate the exchange of information between treatment centeres; 5) contribute to the continuing investigation of human cancer.
However, the publication of the fourth edition of the TNM classification has caused great consternation to urologists because of lack of logic for its complete revision.
In this review analyses were done on the changes in the TNM classification of the genitourinary tumors described in the 3rd, 4th and 4th revision.
Discussion was also made in relation to the TNM systems and classification systems in the general rules for clinical and pathological studies on urological malignancy of Japanese Urological Association.