CTR Staging & Prognostic Factors 2

Question 1

In the AJCC staging system, what does the 'N' category specifically describe?

Accepted Answer

Regional lymph node involvement

Answer

The 'N' category in TNM staging describes the extent of regional lymph node involvement.

Question 2

A tumor staged as pT2 pN1 cM0 uses which type of staging assessment for the N category?

Accepted Answer

Clinical

Answer

The lowercase 'c' prefix before M0 indicates a clinical (non-pathologic) assessment was used for that category.

Question 3

Which prognostic factor is used specifically for breast cancer staging and reflects tumor cell proliferation rate?

Accepted Answer

Ki-67 index

Answer

Ki-67 index measures the proportion of actively dividing tumor cells and is a key proliferation marker in breast cancer prognosis.

Question 4

Stage grouping of 'Stage 0' in most AJCC cancer sites refers to which condition?

Accepted Answer

In situ carcinoma with no invasion

Answer

Stage 0 represents carcinoma in situ, where abnormal cells are present but have not invaded surrounding tissue.

Question 5

When staging a primary tumor with satellite nodules in the same lobe of the lung, how are those nodules classified in AJCC 8th edition?

Accepted Answer

T3 designation

Answer

Separate tumor nodule(s) in the same lobe as the primary are classified as T3 in the AJCC 8th edition lung chapter.

(CTR) Certified Tumor Registrar Practice Test