Which statement describes T1 in TNM staging?

Which statement describes T1 in TNM staging?

• A. Small primary tumour, limited local invasion.
• B. Larger primary tumour, may invade nearby tissue.
• C. Tumor invades adjacent organs or structures.
• D. No regional lymph node involvement.

Answer: (A)

In TNM staging, the T category describes the size and local extent of the primary tumor. T1 corresponds to a small tumor that remains confined to the organ of origin with limited local invasion. This is why the statement describing a small primary tumor with limited local invasion is correct—the essence is that the tumor is small and not yet invading surrounding tissues. The other statements point to more advanced disease or describe other components of staging: a larger primary tumor that may invade nearby tissue suggests a higher T category, invading adjacent organs or structures reflects even more extensive spread (often a higher T, depending on cancer type), and no regional lymph node involvement relates to the N category, not the T category.

In TNM staging, the T category describes the size and local extent of the primary tumor. T1 corresponds to a small tumor that remains confined to the organ of origin with limited local invasion. This is why the statement describing a small primary tumor with limited local invasion is correct—the essence is that the tumor is small and not yet invading surrounding tissues.

The other statements point to more advanced disease or describe other components of staging: a larger primary tumor that may invade nearby tissue suggests a higher T category, invading adjacent organs or structures reflects even more extensive spread (often a higher T, depending on cancer type), and no regional lymph node involvement relates to the N category, not the T category.