Here, from the main part of the OCF website, is an explanation of the way these cancers can be staged. It includes to a link to an article published in 2005 in the journal CA about revisions in the staging protocols for head and neck cancers.

According to the National Cancer Institute , there is not a direct correlation between TMN staging and the Stage I-IV system (the NCI notes that, for example, a tumor described as T3N0M0 is stage III in bladder cancer but stage II in colon cancer).

-- Leslie

Leslie

April 2006: Husband dx by dentist with leukoplakia on tongue. Oral surgeon's biopsy 4/28/06: Moderate dysplasia; pathology report warned of possible "skip effect." ENT's excisional biopsy (got it all) 5/31/06: SCC in situ/small bit superficially invasive. Early detection saves lives.