[Reflecting the mode of metastasizing of the thyroid gland tumor in TNM classification]

Essential approaches to the regional metastasizing rubric in TNM system were analyzed. Basing on summary of the results of 466 operations, performed for the thyroid gland cancer including intervention on cervical lymph nodes, the subgroup N alteration in international classification TNM was proposed, permitting to reflect individual clinical situation full to the brim and to achieve significant practical gain in further management of patient. The grading proposed corresponds to general principle, according to which every subsequent rubric must determine more severe affection without combining several types of affection in individual patient.