[TNM classification: cancer of the stomach]

The 5th edition of TNM Classification was published by the UICC (International Union Against Cancer) in 1997. In the classification of gastric cancer, anatomical subsites and N category were newly published. The new classification and role of the Japanese TNM Joint Committee were described in this paper. The Japanese committee had strongly advocated to continue "the anatomical N classification", because the hazard ratios were more significant for prognosis of patients with gastric cancer, and had many reasonable and scientific advantages. However, the UICC introduced "a new N classification by number of metastatic lymph nodes" because of the difficulty in studying nodes by anatomical classification. The new TNM can not be considered an improved classification, and so we are looking for a more scientific, practical, and internationally acceptable classification.