Head and neck

Hello,

Sorry to hear about your husband. I remember when I was first diagnosed, it can be hard to take and understand lot of the new terms your face with.

The T refers to the size and extent of the main tumor. It will be the primary tumor. The N refers to the number of nearby lymph nodes that have cancer, with the 2 following it, means there's 2 nearby nodes that cancer has spread to.  The M refers to whether the cancer has metastasized (spread to other nodes in the body). The zero meaning it hasn't.

I've finished the same treatment your husband will being having in May. Happy to try answer or help with any questions.

Wes

T4 means the cancer is larger than 4cm

N2C means there are cancer cells in lymph nodes on the other side of the neck to the cancer, or in nodes on both sides of the neck. None of these nodes are more than 6cm across. The cancer has not spread into tissue surrounding the lymph node.

M means there is no distant spread T4 is often followed by a or b which further qualifies the extent of the tumour. 

WesG said:

The N refers to the number of nearby lymph nodes that have cancer, with the 2 following it, means there's 2 nearby nodes that cancer has spread to. 

 WesG 

There’s a good explanation here www.cancerresearchuk.org/.../TNM

Worrypants1 said:

My husband has been diagnosed with Base of tongue cancer stage 3. He is now waiting  for chemo/radiotherapy at The Christie Manchester, which will start 21st Aug.

Hi Worrypants1 . 
Your husband will be in really good hands at The Christie. 
I had base of tongue cancer though only stage 2 and I’m four plus years clear of treatment. It’s a challenge but doable. You can ring your husbands CNS for clarification to be sure what the implications of the staging are. 
Stay with us. There’s always somebody around to listen and help. 
Remember this cancer is eminently curable 

Hi welcome from me. The others have explained the TNM staging. I was T2N2NM I had 35 radiotherapy sessions and 2 of a planned 3 chemotherapy. Treatment is tough but doable I was 61 when diagnosed now 66  happily living my life. My blogs below might help. 
Hazel