Terminology of rectal cancer staging
The terminology used in describing the stage and features of rectal cancer staging is based on using abbreviations and prefixes to denote the specific stage identifier, modality of assessment and the patient's position in the treatment journey .
Terminology
Abbreviations and letters used in staging:
- T: tumor depth in TNM classification
- N: nodal stage in TNM classification
- M: metastasis status in TNM classification
- CRM: circumferential resection margin
- TD: tumor deposits
- EMVI: extramural venous invasion
- TRG: tumor regression grade
- CR: complete response
Prefixes added to the above terms:
- c: clinical
- p: pathology
- mr: MRI
- y: post neoadjuvant therapy
Example uses:
- ypT2 indicates that the tumor stage at pathological examination of a specimen, following neoadjuvant therapy, was T2.
- ymrCR indicates signs of a complete response to neoadjuvant therapy on MR imaging
- cT1 indicates a stage T1 tumor diagnosed clinically, which may include endoscopic examination
See also
