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T staging of a tumour in the oropharynx

Dr Jeremy Jones and Dr Sandeep Bhuta et al.

The T staging of a tumour in the oropharynx is as follows

Definition : The oropharynx includes the base of the tongue, the inferior
surface of the soft palate and uvula, the anterior and posterior
tonsillar pillars, the glossotonsillar sulci, the pharyngeal tonsils, and the lateral and posterior pharyngeal walls.

T1: tumour is 2 cm or less in greatest dimension
T2: tumour is more than 2 cm but not more than 4 cm in greatest
dimension
T3: tumour is more than 4 cm in greatest dimension
T4
- T4a: tumour invades the larynx, deep/extrinsic muscle of the tongue,
  medial pterygoid, hard palate, or mandible
- T4b: tumour invades the lateral pterygoid muscle, pterygoid plates,
  lateral nasopharynx, or skull base or encases the carotid artery