The UICC TNM staging system is the common language in which oncology health professionals can communicate on the cancer extent for individual patients as a basis for decision making on treatment management and individual prognosis but can also be used, to inform and evaluate treatment guidelines, national cancer planning and research.
More specifically, the objectives of the TNM classification are the following:
Aid treatment planning,Provide an indication of prognosis,Assist in the evaluation of treatment results,Facilitate the exchange of information between treatment centres,Contribute to continuing investigations of human malignancies,Support cancer control activities, including through cancer registries.The TNM classification is a unified standard and is a prerequisite for ensuring the quality of care in all resource-settings. It goes beyond clinician practice and constitutes vital information for policy-makers developing or implementing cancer control and prevention plans and it is therefore important to include the TNM classification as part of cancer registration.
Any questions?Please download the聽FAQ's page聽for answers to your questions on cancer staging. If you do not find the answer to your question, you can contact the TNM helpdesk:
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