A 55-year-old male smoker presents with a T2N1M0 squamous cell carcinoma of the mobile tongue (oral tongue). According to AJCC 8th edition staging, this is classified as:
- A Stage III ✓
- B Stage II
- C Stage IVA
- D Stage I
Correct answer: A. Stage III
Explanation
In the AJCC 8th edition oral cavity SCC staging, T2N1M0 corresponds to Stage III (any T + N1 without distant metastasis). Stage II requires T2N0M0. Stage IVA requires T4a disease or N2 nodal disease. The N1 nodal category (single ipsilateral node ≤3 cm) with T2 primary places the patient in Stage III.
Reference: Dhingra Diseases of Ear, Nose and Throat, 7th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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