In English | En español
Questions About Cancer? 1-800-4-CANCER

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment (PDQ®)

  • Updated: 02/14/2013

Table 9. Definitions of TNM Stage IIIBa

Stage TNM Description Illustration 
IIIBT1a, N3, M0T1a = Tumor ≤2 cm in greatest dimension, surrounded by lung or visceral pleura, without bronchoscopic evidence of invasion more proximal than the lobar bronchus (i.e., not in the main bronchus).b
Enlarge
Stage IIIB non-small cell lung cancer (1). Drawing shows cancer in lymph nodes above the collarbone on the opposite side of the chest as the primary tumor, and in the trachea, carina, left main bronchus, esophagus, sternum, diaphragm, and major blood vessels that lead to or from the heart; there may be separate tumors in the same lung. Top inset shows cancer that has spread from the lung, through the lung lining and chest wall lining, into the chest wall; a rib is also shown. Bottom inset shows cancer that has spread from the lung, through the membrane around the heart, into the heart.
Enlarge
Stage IIIB non-small cell lung cancer (2). Drawing shows cancer in lymph nodes on the same side of the chest as the primary tumor, in the heart, major blood vessels that lead to or from the heart, the trachea, esophagus, sternum, carina, and in separate tumors in different lobes of the same lung; the diaphragm is also shown. Inset shows cancer that has spread from the lung, through the membrane around the heart, into the heart.
N3 = Metastasis in contralateral mediastinal, contralateral hilar, ipsilateral or contralateral scalene, or supraclavicular lymph node(s).
M0 = No distant metastasis.
T1b, N3, M0T1b = Tumor >2 cm but ≤3 cm in greatest dimension, surrounded by lung or visceral pleura, without bronchoscopic evidence of invasion more proximal than the lobar bronchus (i.e., not in the main bronchus).b
N3 = Metastasis in contralateral mediastinal, contralateral hilar, ipsilateral or contralateral scalene, or supraclavicular lymph node(s).
M0 = No distant metastasis.
T2a, N3, M0T2a = Tumor >3 cm but ≤5 cm or tumor with any of the following features: involves main bronchus, ≥2 cm distal to the carina; invades visceral pleura (PL1 or PL2); or is associated with atelectasis or obstructive pneumonitis that extends to the hilar region but does not involve the entire lung.
N3 = Metastasis in contralateral mediastinal, contralateral hilar, ipsilateral or contralateral scalene, or supraclavicular lymph node(s).
M0 = No distant metastasis.
T2b, N3, M0T2b = Tumor >5 cm but ≤7 cm or tumor with any of the following features: involves main bronchus, ≥2 cm distal to the carina; invades visceral pleura (PL1 or PL2); or is associated with atelectasis or obstructive pneumonitis that extends to the hilar region but does not involve the entire lung.
N3 = Metastasis in contralateral mediastinal, contralateral hilar, ipsilateral or contralateral scalene, or supraclavicular lymph node(s).
M0 = No distant metastasis.
T3, N3, M0T3 = Tumor >7 cm or one that directly invades any of the following: parietal pleural (PL3) chest wall (including superior sulcus tumors), diaphragm, phrenic nerve, mediastinal pleura, or parietal pericardium or tumor in the main bronchus (<2 cm distal to the carinab but without involvement of the carina) or associated atelectasis or obstructive pneumonitis of the entire lung or separate tumor nodule(s) in the same lobe.
N3 = Metastasis in contralateral mediastinal, contralateral hilar, ipsilateral or contralateral scalene, or supraclavicular lymph node(s).
M0 = No distant metastasis.
T4, N2, M0T4 = Tumor of any size that invades any of the following: mediastinum, heart, great vessels, trachea, recurrent laryngeal nerve, esophagus, vertebral body, carina, or separate tumor nodule(s) in a different ipsilateral lobe.
N2 = Metastasis in ipsilateral mediastinal and/or subcarinal lymph node(s).
M0 = No distant metastasis.
T4, N3, M0T4 = Tumor of any size that invades any of the following: mediastinum, heart, great vessels, trachea, recurrent laryngeal nerve, esophagus, vertebral body, carina, or separate tumor nodule(s) in a different ipsilateral lobe.
N3 = Metastasis in contralateral mediastinal, contralateral hilar, ipsilateral or contralateral scalene, or supraclavicular lymph node(s).
M0 = No distant metastasis.

aReprinted with permission from AJCC: Lung. In: Edge SB, Byrd DR, Compton CC, et al., eds.: AJCC Cancer Staging Manual. 7th ed. New York, NY: Springer, 2010, pp 253-70.
bThe uncommon superficial spreading of the tumor of any size with its invasive component limited to the bronchial wall, which may extend proximally to the main bronchus, is also classified as T1a.