A 58-year-old male smoker presents with a 3 cm ulceroproliferative lesion on the lateral border of the tongue with ipsilateral 2.5 cm single mobile cervical lymph node. Biopsy confirms squamous cell carcinoma. What is the AJCC 8th edition TNM staging?
- A T2 N2b M0 — Stage IVA
- B T3 N1 M0 — Stage III
- C T2 N1 M0 — Stage III ✓
- D T2 N1 M0 — Stage IVA
Correct answer: C. T2 N1 M0 — Stage III
Explanation
AJCC 8th edition: oral cavity SCC T2 = tumour >2 cm but ≤4 cm; N1 = single ipsilateral node ≤3 cm without extranodal extension (ENE). T2 N1 M0 = Stage III. Stage IVA would require T4a, or N2, or ENE-positive nodes. The lesion is 3 cm (T2) and the node is 2.5 cm ipsilateral single (N1), placing this at Stage III.
Reference: Dhingra Diseases of Ear, Nose and Throat, 7th ed.
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