# What is TNM staging?

Source: https://oncologyistanbul.com/glossary/tnm-staging

> The standard system doctors use to describe how far a cancer has spread, based on Tumor size, lymph Node involvement, and Metastasis.

TNM staging combines three measurements — the primary tumor's size and extent (T), whether nearby lymph nodes are involved (N), and whether the cancer has spread to distant organs (M) — into a stage from 0 to IV. It is the common language tumor boards use to compare a case against evidence-based treatment guidelines, and it is usually confirmed only after surgery or biopsy, not from imaging alone.

## Authoritative references
- [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TNM_staging_system)
- [Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q668115)

Full glossary: https://oncologyistanbul.com/glossary