title: TNM-Classification for Lung Cancer: From the 7(th) to the 8(th) Edition.
abstract: Most tumors are staged according to the Tumor-Node-Metastasis (TNM) classification. For lung cancer a new edition was introduced in 2009 and generally applied since 2010. This 7(th) TNM-classification is based on a large, international retrospective database. Important changes were made regarding the T, N, M factors and specific subcategories were added. However, this 7(th) edition is still purely based on anatomical information. Other prognosticators such as laboratory results, histology, tumor markers and molecular genetic factors are not yet considered. To prepare the 8(th) TNM classification a prospective database developed by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC), is currently enrolling patients from all continents. In this way, more precise and reliable data will become available on specific subdivisions of the T, N and M factors. If proven to be prognostically valid, other parameters will be included as histology, demographic data and specific biochemical and molecular predictive and prognostic factors. All centers with a large experience in thoracic oncology are encouraged to participate in this prospective database.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Thoracic and Vascular surgery and Edegem (Antwerp) , Belgium.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cogen
authors.affiliation: a Department of Thoracic and Vascular surgery and Edegem (Antwerp) , Belgium.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Dockx
authors.affiliation: b Department of Multidisciplinary Oncology Centre Antwerp (MOCA), Antwerp University Hospital , Edegem (Antwerp) , Belgium.
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Cheung
authors.affiliation: b Department of Multidisciplinary Oncology Centre Antwerp (MOCA), Antwerp University Hospital , Edegem (Antwerp) , Belgium.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Meulemans
authors.affiliation: a Department of Thoracic and Vascular surgery and Edegem (Antwerp) , Belgium.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lauwers
authors.affiliation: a Department of Thoracic and Vascular surgery and Edegem (Antwerp) , Belgium.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sardari Nia
authors.affiliation: a Department of Thoracic and Vascular surgery and Edegem (Antwerp) , Belgium.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Hendriks
authors.affiliation: a Department of Thoracic and Vascular surgery and Edegem (Antwerp) , Belgium.
authors.forename: P E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Van Schil