Collaborative Stage

Collaborative Stage for TNM 7 - Revised 12/16/2009 [ Schema ]

MerkelCellScrotum

CS Lymph Nodes Eval

Note 1: This field is used primarily to derive the staging basis for the N category in the TNM system. It records how the code for the item "CS Lymph Nodes" was determined based on the diagnostic methods employed and their intent.
Note 2: If lymph node dissection is not performed after neoadjuvant therapy, use code 0 or 1.
Note 3: Only codes 5 and 6 are used if the node assessment is performed after neoadjuvant therapy.

Code	Description	Staging Basis
0	Does not meet criteria for AJCC pathologic staging: No regional lymph nodes or in-transit metastases (nodules) removed for examination. Evidence based on physical examination, imaging examination, or other non-invasive clinical evidence. No autopsy evidence used.	c
1	Does not meet criteria for AJCC pathologic staging: No regional lymph nodes or in-transit metastases (nodules) removed for examination. Evidence based on endoscopic examination, or other invasive techniques including surgical observation without biopsy. No autopsy evidence used.	c
2	Meets criteria for AJCC pathologic staging: No regional lymph nodes or in-transit metastases (nodules) removed for examination, but evidence derived from autopsy (tumor was suspected or diagnosed prior to autopsy).	p
3	Meets criteria for AJCC pathologic staging: Any microscopic assessment of regional nodes or in-transit metastases (nodules) (including FNA, incisional core needle bx, excisional bx, sentinel node bx or node resection).	p
5	Does not meet criteria for AJCC y-pathologic (yp) staging: Regional lymph nodes or in-transit metastases (nodules) removed for examination AFTER neoadjuvant therapy AND lymph node or in-transit metastases (nodules) evaluation based on clinical evidence, unless the pathologic evidence at surgery (AFTER neoadjuvant) is more extensive (see code 6).	c
6	Meets criteria for AJCC y-pathologic (yp) staging: Regional lymph nodes or in-transit metastases (nodules) removed for examination AFTER neoadjuvant therapy AND lymph node or in-transit metastases (nodules) evaluation based on pathologic evidence, because the pathologic evidence at surgery is more extensive than clinical evidence before treatment.	yp
8	Meets criteria for AJCC autopsy (a) staging: Evidence from autopsy; tumor was unsuspected or undiagnosed prior to autopsy.	a
9	Unknown if lymph nodes or in-transit metastases (nodules) removed for examination Not assessed; cannot be assessed Unknown if assessed Not documented in patient record	c