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Part of Cancer staging guidance sheets

Oesophagus including oesophagogastric junction (ICD10 C15, C16.0)

Current Chapter

Current chapter – Oesophagus including oesophagogastric junction (ICD10 C15, C16.0)


Introduction

This is the data sheet for TNM 9th edition staging of the oesophagus including oesophagogastric junction (ICD10 C15 & C16.0).

For more detailed information regarding TNM staging, please see pages 60-65 of the UICC TNM 9 book.


Stage groupings

Squamous Cell Carcinoma - clinical stage*

Stage Group

T stage

N stage

M stage

Stage 0

Tis

N0

cM0

Stage I

T1

N0, N1

cM0

Stage II

T2

N0, N1

cM0

 

T3

N0

cM0

Stage III

T1, T2

N2

cM0

 

T3

N1, N2

cM0

Stage IVA

T4a, T4b

N0, N1, N2

cM0

 

Any T

N3

cM0

Stage IVB

Any T

Any N

cM1

Squamous Cell Carcinoma - pathological stage*

Stage Group

T stage

N stage

M stage

Stage 0

pTis

pN0

cM0

Stage IA

pT1a

pN0

cM0

Stage IB

pT1b

pN0

cM0

Stage IIA

pT2

pN0

cM0

Stage IIB

pT1

pN1

cM0

 

pT3

pN0

cM0

Stage IIIA

pT1

pN2

cM0

 

pT2

pN1

cM0

Stage IIIB

PT2

pN2

cM0

 

pT3

pN1, pN2

cM0

 

pT4a

pN0, pN1

cM0

Stage IVA

pT4a

pN2

pM0

 

pT4b

Any pN

cM0

 

Any pT

pN3

cM0

Stage IVB

Any T

Any N

pM1

Adenocarcinoma - clinical stage*

Stage Group

T stage

N stage

M stage

Stage 0

Tis

N0

cM0

Stage I

T1

N0

cM0

Stage IIA

T1

N1

cM0

Stage IIB

T2

N0

cM0

Stage III

T2

N1

cM0

 

T3, T4a

N0,N1

cM0

Stage IVA

T1-T4a

N2

cM0

 

T4b

N0, N1, N2

cM0

 

Any T

N3

cM0

Stage IVB

Any T

Any N

cM1

Adenocarcinoma pathological stage*

Stage Group

T stage

N stage

M stage

Stage 0

pTis

pN0

cM0

Stage IA

pT1a

pN0

cM0

Stage IB

pT1b

pN0

cM0

Stage IIA

pT2

pN0

cM0

Stage IIB

pT1

pN1

cM0

 

pT3

pN0

cM0

Stage IIIA

pT1

pN2

cM0

 

pT2

pN1

cM0

Stage IIIB

pT2

pN2

cM0

 

pT3

pN1, pN2

cM0

 

pT4a

pN0, pN1

cM0

Stage IVA

pT4a

pN2

cM0

 

pT4b

Any pN

cM0

 

Any pT

pN3

cM0

Stage IVB

Any pT

Any pN

pM1

Note

*If the T or N category is clinical and the other category is pathological, the clinical stage should be used, unless the M category is pM1, in which case the pathological stage is used regardless of whether the T and N categories are pathological or clinical: e.g., for squamous cell carcinoma, pT2cN1 Stage as Clinical Stage II.

 


TNM clinical classification

T - primary tumour

T value

Description

cTX

Primary tumour cannot be assessed

cT0

No evidence of primary tumour

cTis

Carcinoma in situ/high‐grade dysplasia

cT1

Tumour invades lamina propria, muscularis mucosae, or submucosa

 

cT1a - Tumour invades lamina propria or muscularis mucosae

 

cT1b - Tumour invades submucosa

cT2

Tumour invades muscularis propria

cT3

Tumour invades adventitia including peri-oesophageal fat

cT4

Tumour invades adjacent structures

 

cT4a - Tumour invades pleura, pericardium, azygos vein, diaphragm, or peritoneum

 

cT4b - Tumour invades other adjacent structures such as aorta, vertebral body, or trachea

N - regional lymph nodes

N value

Description

cNX

Regional lymph nodes cannot be assessed

cN0

No regional lymph node metastasis

cN1

Metastasis in 1 to 2 regional lymph nodes

cN2

Metastasis in 3 to 6 regional lymph nodes

cN3

Metastasis in 7 or more regional lymph nodes

M - distant metastasis

M value

Description

M0

No distant metastasis

M1

Distant Metastasis


TNM pathological classification

The pT and pN categories correspond to the cT and cN categories as per above. 

pN value

Description

pN0

Histological examination of a regional lymphadenectomy specimen will ordinarily include 7 or more lymph nodes. If the lymph nodes are negative, but the number ordinarily examined is not met, classify as pN0


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Last edited: 16 January 2026 4:21 pm

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  33. Vulva (ICD10 C51)
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  48. Melanoma of conjuctiva (ICD10 C69.0)
  49. Retinoblastoma (ICD10 C69.2)
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  51. Carcinoma of lacrimal gland (ICD10 C69.5)
  52. Sarcoma of orbit (ICD10 C69.6)
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