TNM
Medical abbreviation · Hematology and Oncology
| Stands for | Tumor, Node, Metastasis |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
TNM stands for Tumor, Node, Metastasis, a hematology and oncology abbreviation.
International system for staging solid cancers, describing the size and extent of the primary tumor (T), spread to regional lymph nodes (N) and distant metastasis (M). The combined T, N and M categories determine an overall stage from 0 to IV.
Example: Pathologic TNM pT2 pN1a M0, stage IIB; adjuvant chemotherapy recommended.
Usage notes
Developed by French surgeon Pierre Denoix between 1943 and 1952 and maintained by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) and the American Joint Committee on Cancer. Prefixes add meaning: c for clinical, p for pathologic and yp for staging after neoadjuvant treatment. Staging rules differ for each cancer site and are revised periodically.
Related abbreviations
More hematology and oncology abbreviations
- TACO – Transfusion-associated circulatory overload
- TKI – Tyrosine kinase inhibitor
- TLS – Tumor lysis syndrome
- TMA – Thrombotic microangiopathy
- TMB – Tumor mutational burden
- TNBC – Triple-negative breast cancer
- TRALI – Transfusion-related acute lung injury
- TTP – Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
- VRd – Velcade (bortezomib), Revlimid (lenalidomide), dexamethasone
- VTE – Venous thromboembolism
- VWD – Von Willebrand disease
- WBRT – Whole-brain radiation therapy
See all 144 hematology and oncology abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.