Which statement describes T3 in TNM staging?

Which statement describes T3 in TNM staging?

• A. Tumor invades adjacent organs or structures, locally advanced.
• B. Tumor extends into surrounding structures, more advanced local disease.
• C. Small primary tumour, limited local invasion.
• D. No evidence of primary tumour.

Answer: (B)

In TNM staging, the T category describes how far the tumor has grown and invaded beyond the organ of origin. T3 means the tumor has extended into surrounding structures, indicating more advanced local disease than a tumor that remains contained within the primary organ. It’s a step beyond small, confined tumors, but it does not yet imply invasion of adjacent organs (that would be a higher T category). It’s also not about having no detectable primary tumor. So the statement that describes extension into nearby tissues, reflecting increased local advancement, matches T3.

In TNM staging, the T category describes how far the tumor has grown and invaded beyond the organ of origin. T3 means the tumor has extended into surrounding structures, indicating more advanced local disease than a tumor that remains contained within the primary organ. It’s a step beyond small, confined tumors, but it does not yet imply invasion of adjacent organs (that would be a higher T category). It’s also not about having no detectable primary tumor. So the statement that describes extension into nearby tissues, reflecting increased local advancement, matches T3.