[Classification of malignant tumours of salivary glands by TNM system]

After a brief historical review on TNM classification of malignant tumours, a clinical (pre-treatment) and pathological (post-surgical) classification of the tumours of the salivary glands, is presented that has been proposed by the International Union for cancer control. The stages for the determination of the differentiation of the primary tumour--G are described as well as the grouping of the patients in four stages on the base of the data from the TNM categories. It has been underlined that the use of the unified TNM classification of malignant tumours of salivary glands is of importance for the improvement of the quality of the therapeutic work, for the improvement of the national and international collaboration in that section of oncology.