Just a little curious about this stage definition. Is it a good thing (minimum impact), or is it just "unknown" (meaning it could also be bad)?

What tests can be done to define the "X" for NX and MX? To know for sure?

Does this correspond to cancer stage I, or not yet I?

In the Oral Cavity a Staging of T1NXMX means:

T1 = Primary Tumor 2 cm or less in greatest dimension, which is the smallest staging for primary tumors;

NX = Regional Lymph Nodes cannot be assessed or they haven't found cancer in your nodes which is a good thing. Usually they either do scans, like a PET, a nodal biopsy or even a neck dissection to determine whether nodes are affected;

MX = Distant Metastasis cannot be assessed meaning there is no evidence that the cancer has spread outside the H & N region like the lungs or brain, which is a good thing. Usually they do scans to determine if a distant spread may have occurred but if the nodes are thought to be clean they feel more comfortable that the first line of defense has not been penetrated and a distant spread is more unlikely;

So basically your staging is a 1 and it is the lowest staging you could get with your cancer which is also a good thing.

These are all my personal opinions and I am not a medical professional of any kind.

Here's a link to the staging definitions:

http://www.oralcancerfoundation.org/facts/stages_cancer.htm

Note that there is some overlap between the T and N stages with regard to nodes.

Also note that as the TNM numbers go up, they are worse, while as the G numbers go up, they are better...

Sophie, I would offer that X means Unknown. Truly neither good or bad. If you have good medical care those caregivers will already be working on filling those "x's". Keep in mind that if you choose to take the watch and wait course of action, then some of those x's will not be filled in. For example; N=nodes will not be filled in unless you have those nodes sent to pathology. Usually this will mean some form of neck dissection. By no means does this mean bad. Your care givers will rely on statistics to come up with a treatment plan. Statistics work fine in their perspective. From your perspective, you are a sample of one. From the patient perspective the TNM system can be a source of excessive fear or unrealistic lack of concern. Really, some people survive bad TNM scored cancers and some do not with good scores.

The best thing is to try to control fear. (and I know that is not always easy)!