A proposal for a new TNM classification of esophageal carcinoma. Japanese Committee for Registration of Esophageal Carcinoma

Abstract

The TNM classification of malignant tumors is known to reflect the prognosis well and is being used widely in many countries. For TNM classification of the esophagus, we present a new one which has been modified according to the Japanese Guidelines for Esophageal Carcinoma. The new T classification is based on the depth of the invasion of the tumor. The new N contains metastasis not only to the mediastinal nodes but also to the perigastric nodes. We collected data on 3,211 patients with carcinoma of the thoracic esophagus during the period 1969 to 1978 in Japan. These patients were examined according to the present and new TNM classifications. The results of the study show that the new classification has a better correlation with the survival rates, and new T and new N are easily estimated by clinical examination.