7th Edition of the AJCC Staging Manual
October 18, 2016
7th Edition MCC Staging System Table
Stage | Primary Tumor | Lymph Node | Metastasis |
0 | In situ primary tumor | No regional lymph node metastasis | No distant metastasis |
IA | Less than or equal to 2 cm maximum tumor dimension | Nodes negative by pathologic exam | No distant metastasis |
IB | Less than or equal to 2 cm maximum tumor dimension | Nodes negative by clinical exam* (no pathologic node exam performed) | No distant metastasis |
IIA | Greater than 2 cm tumor dimension | Nodes negative by pathologic exam | No distant metastasis |
IIB | Greater than 2 cm tumor dimension | Nodes negative by clinical exam* (no pathologic node exam performed) | No distant metastasis |
IIC | Primary tumor invades bone, muscle, fascia, or cartilage | No regional lymph node metastasis | No distant metastasis |
IIIA | Any size tumor (includes invading tumors) | Micrometastasis** | No distant metastasis |
IIIB | Any size tumor (includes invading tumors) | Macrometastasis*** -OR- In transit metastasis**** | No distant metastasis |
IV | Any size tumor (includes invading tumors) | Any lymph node metastasis | Metastasis beyond regional lymph nodes |
* Clinical detection of nodal disease may be via inspection, palpation, and/or imaging.
** Micrometastases are diagnosed after sentinel or elective lymphadenectomy.
*** Macrometastases are defined as clinically detectable nodal metastases confirmed by therapeutic lymphadenectomy or needle biopsy.
**** In transit metastasis: a tumor distinct from the primary lesion and located either (1) between the primary lesion and the draining regional lymph nodes or (2) distal to the primary lesion.
(Adapted from AJCC’s Cancer Staging Manual 2009)