Oral Cancer TNM Staging — MFDS Part 1 MCQ

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ModerateOral PathologyOral Cancer TNM StagingMFDS Part 1

An oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma measures 3 cm in greatest dimension and has a depth of invasion of 6 mm. There is no invasion of adjacent structures, no regional lymph-node metastasis and no distant metastasis. Which TNM classification applies?

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Correct answer: A — T2 N0 M0

The correct answer is A, T2 N0 M0. Under current UK UICC TNM 9 criteria, an oral cavity tumour measuring more than 2 cm but not more than 4 cm is T2 when its depth of invasion is no more than 10 mm. This 3 cm tumour has a depth of invasion of 6 mm. N0 denotes no regional lymph-node metastasis, and M0 denotes no distant metastasis. T1 is excluded because the tumour exceeds 2 cm. T3 would apply to a 2–4 cm tumour only if depth of invasion exceeded 10 mm. T4a requires specified advanced local invasion or a tumour over 4 cm with depth over 10 mm. T2 N1 M0 is excluded because there is no nodal metastasis.

Reference: NHS England National Disease Registration Service, Oral Cavity and Mucosal Lip Data Sheet: UICC TNM 9th Edition Staging Summary, updated 15 December 2025. https://digital.nhs.uk/binaries/content/assets/website-assets/national-disease-registration-service/cancer-data-training-materials/staging-sheets/icd10-c00.3-5-c02-c06-oral-cavity--mucosal-lip-data-sheet-v2025-1.1.pdf