In the TNM staging of laryngeal carcinoma (AJCC 8th edition), a supraglottic tumour with invasion of the pre-epiglottic space and normal vocal cord mobility is classified as:
- A T3 — invasion of pre-epiglottic space, post-cricoid area, or paraglottic space with or without inner cortex thyroid cartilage invasion ✓
- B T1b — two or more supraglottic subsites involved
- C T2 — tumour extends to glottis or subglottis or impairs vocal cord mobility
- D T4a — tumour invades through the outer cortex of the thyroid cartilage
Correct answer: A. T3 — invasion of pre-epiglottic space, post-cricoid area, or paraglottic space with or without inner cortex thyroid cartilage invasion
Explanation
AJCC 8th edition supraglottic laryngeal carcinoma staging: T1 = tumour limited to one subsite, normal cord mobility; T2 = tumour invades mucosa of more than one adjacent supraglottic subsite or extends to glottis/subglottis or impairs vocal cord mobility; T3 = vocal cord fixation OR invasion of any of: pre-epiglottic space, paraglottic space, inner cortex of thyroid cartilage; T4a = through outer thyroid cartilage cortex to extralaryngeal soft tissue; T4b = prevertebral space, encases carotid, mediastinal. Pre-epiglottic space invasion with normal mobility = T3.
Reference: Dhingra Diseases of Ear, Nose and Throat, 7th ed.
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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.