Clinical staging of cancer of the head and neck: a new "new" system.

A revised clinical staging system for cancers arising in head and neck sites has been prepared. It utilizes a uniform N classification for cervical node metastases. The T classifications describing the extent of the primary tumor are generally similar but differ in specific details for each site. Although the present system makes use of past field trials and more recent clinical studies, it cannot be considered final. Clinicians managing cancer in head and neck sites are encouraged to test the system with their own patient data to elicit further areas for improvement.