Which statement describes N0 in TNM staging?

Which statement describes N0 in TNM staging?

• A. Metastasis in 1-3 regional lymph nodes.
• B. No regional lymph node involvement.
• C. Metastasis in 4-9 regional lymph nodes.
• D. Distant metastasis to other organs.

Answer: (B)

In TNM staging, the N category describes regional lymph node involvement near the primary tumor. N0 means there is no regional lymph node metastasis, so the statement “no regional lymph node involvement” is the correct description. If nodes are involved, other N values apply — for example, involvement of 1–3 regional nodes is N1, and involvement of 4–9 regional nodes is N2. Distant metastasis is captured by the M category (M1), not by N, so it doesn’t describe nodal status.

In TNM staging, the N category describes regional lymph node involvement near the primary tumor. N0 means there is no regional lymph node metastasis, so the statement “no regional lymph node involvement” is the correct description. If nodes are involved, other N values apply — for example, involvement of 1–3 regional nodes is N1, and involvement of 4–9 regional nodes is N2. Distant metastasis is captured by the M category (M1), not by N, so it doesn’t describe nodal status.