Staging of head and neck cancer

The stage of a cancer is a term used to describe its size and whether it has spread beyond its original site. Knowing the extent of the cancer helps the doctors decide on the best treatment for you.

The staging of the different types of head and neck cancers are all slightly different. Your doctor or nurse can give you more details about the stage of your cancer.

The most common method for staging cancers of the head and neck is the TNM staging system.

TNM staging

T describes the size of the t umour.
N describes whether the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes and which nodes are involved. For example, N0 means that no lymph nodes are affected, while N1 means there are cancer cells in the lymph nodes.
M describes if the cancer has spread to another part of the body. For example, M0 means the cancer hasn’t spread (metastasised) to other parts of the body.

Content last reviewed: 1 November 2012

Next planned review: 2014

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Macmillan Cancer Support, registered charity in England and Wales (261017), Scotland (SC039907) and the Isle of Man (604). A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales company number 2400969. Isle of Man company number 4694F. Registered office: 89 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7UQ.