I keep reading about this and not sure what it means. I've seen it mentioned talking about t1-2 and n0. I thought nodal involvement has a n value >0. Can someone explain what extracapsular spread is?

Hi Amy,
My understanding of extracapsular spread is that there are cancer cells outside the original tumor. When I've tried to research this on the web, almost invariably, extracapsular and lymph node involvement are used in the same sentence.

Not being a doctor, I can't shed much light on this but I suppose that cancer cells that have moved outside the original tumor and invaded nearby muscle tissue, for example, would be considered extracapsular but not involving the lymph nodes.

Maybe someone more knowledgeable on the forum can help. Best, Sheldon

Hi Amy, As I understand when lymph nodes are involved and become positive it is because tumour cells have migrated through the lymphatic system from the primary tumour and have been picked up by a lymph node. If, as in my case the positive cells are inside the lymph node and are not yet spreading from the inside then they are fully encapsulated within the node. if however they have been there for some time and have basically taken over the node and started to break out from the node then they are said to be extracapsular.

I hope this helps,

kindest regards
Paul

dx 30th nov 05 stage III surgery radical neck dis both sides,full floor of mouth removal part tongue and radial forearm flap. Alive and smiling.