Table 2. Regional Lymph Nodes (N)a,b
| NX | Regional lymph nodes cannot be assessed. |
| N0 | No regional lymph node metastasis. |
| N1 | Regional lymph node metastasis. |
| N1a | Metastases to Level VI (pretracheal, paratracheal, and prelaryngeal/Delphian lymph nodes). |
| N1b | Metastases to unilateral, bilateral, or contralateral cervical (Levels I, II, III, IV, or V) or retropharyngeal or superior mediastinal lymph nodes (Level VII). |
| aReprinted with permission from AJCC: Thyroid. In: Edge SB, Byrd DR, Compton CC, et al., eds.: AJCC Cancer Staging Manual. 7th ed. New York, NY: Springer, 2010, pp 87-96. |
| bRegional lymph nodes are the central compartment, lateral cervical, and upper mediastinal lymph nodes. |
